Understanding Persistent Skin Rashes: Possible Immune System Disorders
Red rashes on the back, posterior legs, arms, and anterior chest, with itching at night that makes it impossible to sleep, and some areas of skin peeling? Since January 2024, the patient has been experiencing symptoms and has visited three clinics where eczema or urticaria was su...
Dr. Zeng Guosen Reply:
The skin condition described by the netizen seems to be unrelated to the positive antinuclear antibody (ANA) titer of 1:5120. There may be other autoimmune diseases involved, and it is advisable to seek further medical evaluation. It is recommended to first visit a dermatology de...[Read More] Understanding Persistent Skin Rashes: Possible Immune System Disorders
Understanding Autoimmune Diseases: What Does a Positive ANA Test Mean?
Autoimmune diseases Hello, Director Gao. I would like to ask you a question. Previously, I experienced full-body itching and developed hives whenever I returned home. After seeing a doctor, I took antihistamines for over a month, and now I no longer itch, but I still occasionally...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your question. Here are my responses: 1. An ANA titer of 1:80 is considered low, and if there are no symptoms, we usually recommend monitoring. 2. In cases of chronic urticaria, we sometimes test for syphilis, as untreated syphilis infection can lead to prolo...[Read More] Understanding Autoimmune Diseases: What Does a Positive ANA Test Mean?
Understanding Positive ANA Test Results: What You Need to Know
Positive ANA test result? Hello, the results of your immunological tests show a positive ANA (antinuclear antibody) with a titer of 1:40 and a pattern described as dense fine speckled. This indicates the presence of antinuclear antibodies, which can be associated with autoimmune ...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your inquiry. This is considered normal, and you can follow up in six months or more. If any new rheumatic symptoms arise during this period, please return for an earlier consultation. The Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology Department of Changhua Hospital,...[Read More] Understanding Positive ANA Test Results: What You Need to Know
Understanding Rheumatoid Arthritis and Its Connection to Autoimmune Antibodies
Rheumatoid Arthritis and Antinuclear Antibodies Hello Doctor, I would like to ask you: 1. I have been experiencing knee joint pain for a while (but there is no redness or swelling). It hurts when I am at rest, and sometimes other bones in my lower body also ache slightly. I am ...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your questions. Here are my responses: 1. I have been experiencing knee joint pain for a while (but without redness or swelling). It hurts when I am not moving, and sometimes other bones in my lower body also ache slightly. I am unsure if this is an early sy...[Read More] Understanding Rheumatoid Arthritis and Its Connection to Autoimmune Antibodies
Understanding Raynaud's and Scleroderma: Challenges in Major Illness Claims
Raynaud's phenomenon and scleroderma are considered significant illnesses that are not eligible for disability claims? Hello, Doctor Gao. After being diagnosed with COVID-19 this year, I suddenly noticed abnormalities in my fingers. After researching online, I found informat...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your question. The treatment for scleroderma is primarily based on the extent of its impact on vital organs. If you only have Raynaud's phenomenon with mild symptoms, you might want to discuss with your physician the necessity of using off-label medicati...[Read More] Understanding Raynaud's and Scleroderma: Challenges in Major Illness Claims
Understanding C3 and C4 Levels: What to Do When Symptoms Persist?
Complement C3 & C4 Every morning when I wake up, my hands are swollen and stiff, and I experience pain in the joints when bending my fingers. Blood tests showed an erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 16, rheumatoid arthritis factor tests (immunoturbidimetry) were less than 20, ...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your inquiry. Your C3 level is slightly low, but this may just be a variation due to your constitution, so there is no need to worry too much. Other tests are normal. I believe that if your morning stiffness lasts for a short duration, such as less than half ...[Read More] Understanding C3 and C4 Levels: What to Do When Symptoms Persist?
Understanding Sjögren's Syndrome: Key Questions and Treatment Insights
Sjögren's syndrome Thank you, doctor! I am a patient with Sjögren's syndrome and have some questions to ask: 1. My SSA index is 280 (+), while the normal range should be below 100 (-). Does this mean my level is high? After treatment for a period of time, will my bloo...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your questions. Here are my responses: 1. The SSA index is 280 (+), while the normal range should be below 100 (-). Is this considered high? Will it decrease after treatment? --> It is elevated, but the elevation does not correlate with the severity of th...[Read More] Understanding Sjögren's Syndrome: Key Questions and Treatment Insights
Understanding Anti-SSA and Anti-SSB Antibodies: Implications and Insights
Anti-SSA and Anti-SSB 1. The incidental finding of abnormal levels of these two antibodies during a blood test, without any signs of Sjögren's syndrome or physical discomfort, does not necessarily confirm a diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome. It may indicate a potential ri...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your question. Here are my responses: 1. The abnormal levels of these two antibodies were discovered incidentally during a blood test, but there are no signs of Sjögren's syndrome and no physical discomfort. Does this indicate a diagnosis or a possibili...[Read More] Understanding Anti-SSA and Anti-SSB Antibodies: Implications and Insights
Understanding C1q-CIC Levels: Implications for Autoimmune Diseases
Inquiry about complement C1Q? The C1q-CIC value is 8.2, which is considered equivocal based on the reference values (Negative: < 4.4 μg Eq/ml; Equivocal: 4.4 - <10.8 μg Eq/ml; Positive: >= 10.8 μg Eq/ml). Currently, there are no autoimmune diseases, with negative antinuc...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your question. C1q is a protein related to immune function in the body, while CIC (Circulating Immune Complex) refers to immune complexes circulating in the blood, which are protein aggregates formed by antibodies and antigens. In principle, the body normally...[Read More] Understanding C1q-CIC Levels: Implications for Autoimmune Diseases
Understanding Antinuclear Antibodies: Concerns and Questions for Young Adults
Inquiry about blood test results? Dear Doctor, I currently have no immune-related symptoms, but I am concerned about the presence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in my blood test results. I would like to ask you some related questions. Recently, my blood test report showed an AN...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your questions. Here are my responses: 1. Is there a possibility of developing systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in the future? --> Currently, it seems unlikely. 2. An antinuclear antibody (ANA) titer of 1:80 was detected, but all specific antibodies rel...[Read More] Understanding Antinuclear Antibodies: Concerns and Questions for Young Adults
Understanding ANA Test Results: What Do They Mean for Your Health?
Antinuclear antibody (ANA) issues? Hello Doctor, my blood test report shows an ANA antibody titer of 1:80 with Pattern 1: homogeneous and Pattern 2: fine speckled. In a second test at a different hospital, the ANA was 40 (-). The doctor said there are no antibodies, and the anti-...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your questions. Here are my responses: 1. The first test showed an ANA titer of 1:80, but the second test showed none at all. Does this mean there is a higher chance of being negative and healthy? --> I believe the antibody levels may be low, which can le...[Read More] Understanding ANA Test Results: What Do They Mean for Your Health?
Understanding Antinuclear Antibodies and Lupus: A Patient's Guide
Antinuclear antibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus? ANA: Speckled 1:640 HLA-B27: Negative E.S.R: 61 Basophils: 1.0 Eosinophils: 1.0 Hemoglobin (Hb): 11.9 Hematocrit (Hct): 36.1 Lymphocytes: 28.2 Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH): 25.3 Mean Corpuscular Hemogl...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your inquiry. Your question regarding elevated ANA and ESR levels indicates that it is essential to further investigate the cause of the elevated ANA. Additional tests may be necessary to confirm your diagnosis, and I recommend consulting a rheumatologist for...[Read More] Understanding Antinuclear Antibodies and Lupus: A Patient's Guide
Understanding Your Rheumatology Test Results: What Do They Mean?
Rheumatology and Immunology Examination Results I have been experiencing pain in my shoulders, neck, arms, and fingers for three months, and rehabilitation has not improved my condition. I consulted a rheumatologist, who ordered blood tests, and the results are as follows: ESR:...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your message. The abnormal findings in your test report indicate a PATTERN of Homogeneous 1/640 (Positive) and a PATTERN of Speckled 1/640 (Positive), which are results for Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA). Antinuclear antibodies are one of the screening indicato...[Read More] Understanding Your Rheumatology Test Results: What Do They Mean?
Understanding Your Rheumatology Blood Test Results: What Do They Mean?
Results of rheumatologic and immunological blood tests? Hello doctor, I have been experiencing muscle soreness in my shoulders, neck, and arms for three months, along with pain in my index finger. Orthopedic rehabilitation has not shown significant improvement. I had blood tests ...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, this test value can only indicate a possible presence of lupus erythematosus; however, a diagnosis requires clinical symptoms combined with other values to calculate an overall score for confirmation. Based on your description, the symptoms do not seem to align closely, so...[Read More] Understanding Your Rheumatology Blood Test Results: What Do They Mean?
Understanding Autoimmune Disorders in Children: Symptoms and Testing
Autoimmunity Hello Doctor, in October 2019, my son (7 years old) was infected with influenza type B. Later, he developed some red spots on his hands, and when we went to the hospital for a blood test, the emergency doctor said everything was normal, with a platelet count of 180,0...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your message. It is indeed possible for children to develop skin rashes and abnormal blood test results due to viral infections, and if these symptoms resolve quickly or the test results return to normal, there is usually no need for concern. However, blood t...[Read More] Understanding Autoimmune Disorders in Children: Symptoms and Testing
Understanding the Significance of 1:80 Antinuclear Antibody Test Results
1:80X(-) Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) are a type of autoantibody that target substances within the nucleus of cells. The values obtained from the indirect immunofluorescence assay indicate the presence and concentration of these antibodies in the blood. A positive ANA test can su...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your question. The antinuclear antibody (ANA) test starts with a dilution of 1:80. If the result is negative at this initial dilution, it will be reported as negative (-), indicating a normal result. If there is a positive reaction at 1:80, further dilutions ...[Read More] Understanding the Significance of 1:80 Antinuclear Antibody Test Results
Understanding Dryness Syndrome: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Tests
Immunity and Sjögren's Syndrome Hello Doctor: Two years ago, I experienced joint swelling and inflammation in my little finger. My family doctor recommended tests, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and anti-citrullinated protein antibody (CCP) tests, both of which returned...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your inquiry. Sjögren's syndrome requires a detailed medical history, which includes not only questions about dry mouth but also inquiries about dry eyes and even respiratory symptoms. Blood tests should be arranged, including screening for antinuclear a...[Read More] Understanding Dryness Syndrome: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Tests
Understanding Sjögren's Syndrome and the Role of Mycophenolate
Sjögren's syndrome and myositis? Dear Doctor, I am 51 years old and was diagnosed with Sjögren's syndrome in 2015. My main symptoms include dry eyes, mild vasculitis in the lower extremities, weight loss, and a white blood cell count of approximately 2800 to 3500. So f...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello SUNNY, thank you for your message. The disease activity of Sjögren's syndrome is related to clinical symptoms (such as gland swelling and new vasculitis lesions) and laboratory results; however, changes in antinuclear antibody levels do not necessarily indicate disease...[Read More] Understanding Sjögren's Syndrome and the Role of Mycophenolate
Understanding Immune System Disorders: Insights on Oral Ulcers and Lupus
Immune system Hello Doctor, I have been experiencing mouth ulcers, throat pain, and gum pain since last month, and they haven't improved. A doctor suggested that I see an immunologist. Below are my health check reports: the report from April this year [link] and the immunolo...
Dr. Lin Wuxuan Reply:
Hello: Based on the two blood test reports you provided, there are no abnormalities indicated, and the symptoms you described do not have any clear association with systemic lupus erythematosus. Generally speaking, different laboratories may have variations in measurement values ...[Read More] Understanding Immune System Disorders: Insights on Oral Ulcers and Lupus
Managing Joint Pain in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients
Issues related to systemic lupus erythematosus? Hello, doctor. I was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus in early April this year. I have already started taking medication, but I am currently away and do not have the English name of the medication with me, so I cannot pro...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
The diagnostic criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) include: 1. The presence of a fixed erythematous rash on the cheeks, known as a malar rash or butterfly rash; it typically does not involve the nasolabial folds. 2. The appearance of discoid lupus erythematosus lesion...[Read More] Managing Joint Pain in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients