Understanding Elevated Rheumatoid Factor: Symptoms and Concerns
Symptoms of elevated rheumatoid factor? Hello, doctor. Recently, I had a blood test that showed my rheumatoid factor was elevated by more than ten times. I later visited a doctor for further blood tests, and aside from a slightly elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate indicating...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your inquiry. My recommendations are as follows: 1. You should have regular follow-ups, such as every three months. If you experience any changes in symptoms before the scheduled follow-up, including joint pain, skin rashes, fever, etc., you can return for an...[Read More] Understanding Elevated Rheumatoid Factor: Symptoms and Concerns
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 Abnormal RF and ESR Results: What You Need to Know
Abnormal RF and ESR? Hello Doctor, I had a CRP test on April 21st which was 0.1 (normal range 0-1 mg/dL), and on July 19th, my comprehensive health check showed an abnormal RF of 242 (<15 IU/mL). On August 7th, I visited the immunology department, and during a brief consultati...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your inquiry. A high RF (Rheumatoid Factor) may be associated with other conditions, including viral hepatitis, particularly hepatitis C, Sjögren's syndrome, and other rheumatic diseases. It is advisable to consult your physician for more detailed examin...[Read More] Understanding Abnormal RF and ESR Results: What You Need to Know
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 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
Managing Severe Dry Mouth in Patients with Sjögren's Syndrome
Severe dry mouth in xerostomia? Hello Doctor: My mother is 76 years old and has been suffering from Sjögren's syndrome for over 20 years. She also has hepatitis C, which has recently been successfully treated, and she is now virus-free. My mother has severe dry eye syndrome,...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your inquiry. Currently, there are effective medications available to alleviate the symptoms of xerostomia, particularly dry mouth, which you can discuss with your primary care physician. Additionally, there are some over-the-counter mouth rinses that can hel...[Read More] Managing Severe Dry Mouth in Patients with Sjögren's Syndrome
Can You Get a Major Illness Card with Sjögren's Syndrome?
Sjögren's syndrome Hello, doctor. I would like to ask if a confirmed diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome (dry syndrome) is sufficient to obtain a major illness card, or if the application might be denied due to milder symptoms. Thank you.
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your inquiry. To apply for a major illness card from the National Health Insurance Administration, certain criteria must be met. Your physician will assist you in the application based on the results of your current tests for Sjögren's syndrome, but the ...[Read More] Can You Get a Major Illness Card with Sjögren's Syndrome?
Understanding Abnormal Blood Test Results: Possible Immune System Disorders
Health Examination Report Hello doctor, last month I visited a rheumatology and immunology specialist due to an unexplained rash on my skin (similar to petechiae). Initially, the doctor suspected it might be an allergy, but they still conducted blood tests. The results showed abn...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your inquiry. Among the antibodies you tested, some are related to Sjögren's syndrome (Ro/La, C3/C4), some are associated with myositis (Jo-1, Ku), and others are more related to lupus erythematosus (ANA, C3/C4). However, we will consider clinical sympto...[Read More] Understanding Abnormal Blood Test Results: Possible Immune System Disorders
Understanding Sjögren's Syndrome: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Management
Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease? Hello Doctor, I had an appointment in October and experienced symptoms of dryness. I consulted a rheumatologist, and all my blood tests came back normal, but my condition shows tendencies towards lupus erythematosus. However, I ha...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your question. There are many causes of dry symptoms, and Sjögren's syndrome is just one of them. While blood tests show "lupus-like phenomena," there is no definitive evidence of Sjögren's syndrome. Typically, we recommend follow-up visit...[Read More] Understanding Sjögren's Syndrome: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Management
Understanding the Link Between Sjögren's Syndrome and Elevated IgE Levels
Sjögren's syndrome & IgE Hello Doctor, I was diagnosed with Sjögren's syndrome in 2011, and over the past few years, I have been monitoring my annual self-paid health check-up reports. One of the items is IgE, which has been below 100 for the past few years, but in ...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your message. Here is my response: (1) Is there a relationship between IgE and dry syndrome? There should be no direct correlation. (2) In the past two years, has the increase in IgE levels worsened dry syndrome? IgE is more closely related to allergic diseas...[Read More] Understanding the Link Between Sjögren's Syndrome and Elevated IgE Levels
Unexplained Bruising on Lower Legs After AZ Vaccine: What to Know
After receiving the AZ vaccine, there is unexplained bruising on the calf? Hello doctor, I have Sjögren's syndrome and iron deficiency anemia. After receiving my first dose of the AZ vaccine on July 29 (Thursday), I noticed seven unexplained bruises on my tibia and knee on J...
Dr. Zeng Guosen Reply:
Hello, the blood test did not show any abnormalities in your platelets. Blood abnormalities related to the AZ vaccine typically occur 10 days to two weeks after vaccination. Currently, your situation cannot be explained, and it is recommended that you consult a hematologist for f...[Read More] Unexplained Bruising on Lower Legs After AZ Vaccine: What to Know
Can Patients with Sjögren's Syndrome Safely Receive Moderna COVID Vaccine?
Can patients with systemic dryness syndrome receive the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine? Hello, my mother is 74 years old and has Sjögren's syndrome with systemic dryness, rheumatoid arthritis, blepharospasm, arrhythmia, hypertension, chronic heart failure, irritable bowel syndrome...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your message. Based on the condition of the elderly lady you described, I believe she can receive the Moderna vaccine. However, please pay attention to the medications she is taking; some drugs for rheumatoid arthritis should be temporarily discontinued after...[Read More] Can Patients with Sjögren's Syndrome Safely Receive Moderna COVID Vaccine?
Why Everything Tastes Salty: Causes and Remedies for Your Symptoms
Everything tastes very salty when I eat? For over a week now, I've been feeling that everything I eat tastes very salty and I'm experiencing dry mouth. Eating salty foods makes me uncomfortable, and drinking a lot of water doesn't help. Could this be a sign of exce...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, it is recommended to first visit a general internal medicine clinic to check for any abnormalities in electrolytes and osmolality in the blood. If those results are normal, you may need to consult a family medicine or rheumatology clinic to investigate whether there is a d...[Read More] Why Everything Tastes Salty: Causes and Remedies for Your Symptoms
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
Concerns About Long-Term Use of Medications for Dry Mouth Relief
Questions about medications for Sjögren's syndrome? Hello, doctor. I would like to ask about the medication Evoxac (cevimeline) for enhancing saliva secretion in patients with Sjögren's syndrome. If taken long-term, is there a risk of addiction or a situation where it b...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, 1. The medication you mentioned for Sjögren's syndrome, such as Evoxac (pilocarpine), currently has no reports of causing addiction, so it should not lead to the situation you described. 2. Both Esetimibe (Ezallor) and nasal allergy medications can potentially cau...[Read More] Concerns About Long-Term Use of Medications for Dry Mouth Relief
Understanding Vasculitis: Symptoms, Treatment, and Dietary Impact
Suspected vasculitis Hello Doctor: My mother is 73 years old and has hepatitis C, an autoimmune disease (Sjögren's syndrome), and dry eyes. She often experiences headaches and upper back pain (which she has had for many years). She has been seeing a rheumatologist and is on ...
Dr. Zeng Guosen Reply:
Hello, the clinical manifestations of hepatitis C or autoimmune diseases (such as Sjögren's syndrome) can include vasculitis. However, most symptoms present as petechiae, which are typically painless or slightly painful, and itching is rare, let alone severe itching. It is a...[Read More] Understanding Vasculitis: Symptoms, Treatment, and Dietary Impact
Does Sjögren's Syndrome Affect Menstrual Cycle or Medications?
The effects of Sjögren's syndrome? Hello, doctor. I would like to ask whether Sjögren's syndrome itself affects the menstrual cycle, or if the medications used to treat Sjögren's syndrome have an impact on the menstrual cycle?
Dr. Zeng Guosen Reply:
Hello, the disease of Sjögren's syndrome rarely reports any impact on the menstrual cycle. As for medications used to treat Sjögren's syndrome, corticosteroids can affect the menstrual cycle, while commonly used quinine (also known as chloroquine or Plaquenil) does not ...[Read More] Does Sjögren's Syndrome Affect Menstrual Cycle or Medications?
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 Immune System Issues After Miscarriage: Key Tests to Consider
Is there a problem with the immune system? Hello doctors: Since my miscarriage last year, I have been experiencing persistent dry mouth symptoms. No matter how much water I drink, I still feel dry throughout the day. I have undergone immune system testing and ruled out Sjögren&#x...
Dr. Zeng Guosen Reply:
Hello, internet user. 1. There are many causes of dry mouth and dry tongue, with only a small percentage of cases attributed to immune issues. In addition to blood tests, a commonly overlooked examination for immune problems is a salivary gland biopsy, which is necessary for di...[Read More] Understanding Immune System Issues After Miscarriage: Key Tests to Consider
Understanding Autoimmune Conditions: Dry Eye Syndrome and Vascular Concerns
Autoimmune disease Sjögren's syndrome Hello Doctor: My mother is 72 years old and has hepatitis C, Sjögren's syndrome, and severe dry eye syndrome, all of which are being treated. As she has aged, her blood pressure has been elevated, and she is currently taking antihyp...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello Ms. Lee, thank you for your inquiry. Here are the answers to your questions: 1. Both Sjögren's syndrome and hepatitis C can potentially cause microvascular bleeding as a side effect if not continuously treated, which may appear as small petechiae. To determine if thi...[Read More] Understanding Autoimmune Conditions: Dry Eye Syndrome and Vascular Concerns