Managing Autoimmune Disorders: Medication Concerns and Heart Health
Medication issues I would like to ask about my situation. After abnormal ANA antibody results from a blood test, I underwent several examinations. Initially, I tested positive for Sjögren's syndrome antibodies, and recently, due to severe Raynaud's phenomenon, I also te...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your question. I believe that Puda tablets are quite safe medications. Although there is a very small chance of cardiac side effects, they should not affect heart rhythm. If it is just early contractions, I think it is not a concern. However, if there are ind...[Read More] Managing Autoimmune Disorders: Medication Concerns and Heart Health
Sudden Spike in Urinary Protein: Possible Autoimmune Causes?
Sudden increase in urinary protein levels? Hello Doctor, my urine protein levels skyrocketed from below 30 to 106 between June 7 and July 11, along with increases in microalbumin and urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio, while other urine tests remained normal. I was hospitalized in...
Dr. Lin Wuxuan Reply:
If you experience any discomfort, please schedule an earlier appointment and discuss it with your attending physician. Thank you.[Read More] Sudden Spike in Urinary Protein: Possible Autoimmune Causes?
Scleroderma and Microalbuminuria: Understanding the Connection and Next Steps
Scleroderma and Urinary Microalbumin Hello, in April of this year, I went to the rheumatology and immunology department due to hand pain and found the following abnormalities: ANA 1:160 (AC-10) Nucleolar punctate, Anti-Scl-70 16 (-) reference value (120 au/ml), Anti-Sm 9 (-), Ant...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your inquiry. The results from your rheumatology examination are mostly negative, with some results falling into a gray area, making it indeed difficult to draw conclusions based on the current test results. The diagnosis of scleroderma can sometimes be confi...[Read More] Scleroderma and Microalbuminuria: Understanding the Connection and Next Steps
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 Elevated Rheumatoid Factor: What You Need to Know
Elevated rheumatoid factor issue? Hello, Doctor. Last month, at the end of July, I underwent a comprehensive health check-up and unexpectedly found that my rheumatoid factor was elevated (242 IU/ml, with a reference range of below 20 IU/ml). All other health check items were almo...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your question. Here are my responses: 1. The health check report indicates that a small number of healthy individuals may also have elevated RF factors—if I have no symptoms, should I not worry too much? --> Some symptoms can be very mild and may go unno...[Read More] Understanding Elevated Rheumatoid Factor: What You Need to Know
Understanding Mixed Connective Tissue Disease: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Management
What is mixed connective tissue disease? Hello Doctor: I previously experienced an outbreak of urticaria and visited a nearby dermatologist two or three times without improvement. I read in magazines that I should see a rheumatologist, so I found the only clinic nearby that offer...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your message. Mixed connective tissue disease is a type of rheumatic disease, which, as the name suggests, exhibits features of other rheumatic diseases, including scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosus, and rheumatoid arthritis, but it is classified as an...[Read More] Understanding Mixed Connective Tissue Disease: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Management
Understanding the Significance of RA and Abnormal Test Results in Internal Medicine
Inquiry about the significance of the test? Hello, doctor. In the past, I tested positive for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) during a health check, so my company has been adding this test to my annual examinations. About 6-7 years ago, I consulted a rheumatologist who mentioned that s...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your inquiry. Here are my responses: 1. Albumin is naturally more abundant than globulin, so a slight increase is not a concern. 2. An ANA titer of 1:80 (+) is within the normal range, so there is no need to worry. 3. For a positive rheumatoid arthritis (...[Read More] Understanding the Significance of RA and Abnormal Test Results in Internal Medicine
Understanding Scleroderma: Treatment Options and Life Expectancy Insights
Scleroderma Is scleroderma curable? On average, how many years does it take from early detection to death? Should one avoid taking certain herbal medicines that boost immunity? Thank you, doctor!
Dr. Zeng Guosen Reply:
Hello! Scleroderma can be categorized into two main types: idiopathic autoimmune disorders and those triggered by medications or chemicals. Except for a few cases where the cause can be identified and treated, most cases can only be managed and not cured. Generally, if the condit...[Read More] Understanding Scleroderma: Treatment Options and Life Expectancy Insights
Understanding Systemic Sclerosis: Care Tips and Survival Rates
Systemic Sclerosis I was recently diagnosed with systemic scleroderma, a rare autoimmune disease. I would like to know how to manage this condition and what precautions I should take. What is the survival rate? Where can I find support groups for patients? I'm feeling quite ...
Dr. Zeng Guosen Reply:
Hello! 1. First, I would like to remind you to confirm whether the diagnosis was made by a rheumatologist. If the diagnosis is accurate, the survival rate will depend on whether it is limited to the skin or if there is involvement of internal organs such as the heart, lungs, or k...[Read More] Understanding Systemic Sclerosis: Care Tips and Survival Rates
Managing Scleroderma: What to Do for Affected Fingers
Scleroderma What should I do if my fingers have scleroderma?
Dr. Zeng Guosen Reply:
Hello! There are many reasons for skin thickening and hardening, including occupational factors, chemical agents, endocrine diseases, connective tissue diseases, and malignant diseases. As for the user mentioning scleroderma in the fingers, it is difficult to provide a clear answ...[Read More] Managing Scleroderma: What to Do for Affected Fingers
Is It Lupus? Understanding ANA and Blood Test Results
Is it systemic lupus erythematosus? ANA 640X, WBC 3300, Eosinophils 6%, Lymphocytes 45%, Hct 37.1%, Albumin 4.64 g/dL, Globulin 3.22 g/dL, A/G Ratio 1.44, GOT and GPT normal, total bilirubin 0.96 (slightly elevated). Is this indicative of systemic lupus erythematosus?
Dr. Zeng Guosen Reply:
ANA 1:640X, WBC: 3300, with other results within normal limits. Based on the information provided in your letter, it cannot be directly confirmed as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The diagnosis of SLE requires meeting at least four out of eleven clinical criteria for a defin...[Read More] Is It Lupus? Understanding ANA and Blood Test Results