jimells
Senior Member
- Messages
- 2,009
- Location
- northern Maine
A year ago a rheumatologist ordered tests for ANA, IGG, IGA, etc. Only Complement C4 was slightly low. The rheumy said he couldn't help and kicked me loose.
Now a neurologist seems to agree that I have a systemic illness, and she ordered ANA, ANCA, Protein Electrophoresis, Myeloperoxidase, and some other stuff.
The test results were in today's mail - I always have a copy sent directly to me. The ANA screen is positive, the titer is 1:160, and the word 'Nucleolar' is on the results. (What does this mean?) The Myeloperoxidase (whatever that is) is >9, considered positive (for what?).
I started sobbing - after eight years of rubbish from dismissive doctors, finally a lab test showing that something is wrong, I really am seriously ill, I'm not a malingerer or a nutter. Like most of the folks here, my file is full of trash like "seeking attention", "exagerating symptoms", "drug addict", "just needs therapy and exercise".
Two hours later the doctor's office left a message that "The test results are perfectly normal"
Huh?
If it's 'normal' to have all these symptoms and abnormal test results, why bother to order the tests? I do understand that one out-of-range test by itself might not be significant, but so far I haven't come across anything that suggests ANA titer of 1:160 is not significant.
Should I look for (another) new doctor or for new tests?
Now a neurologist seems to agree that I have a systemic illness, and she ordered ANA, ANCA, Protein Electrophoresis, Myeloperoxidase, and some other stuff.
The test results were in today's mail - I always have a copy sent directly to me. The ANA screen is positive, the titer is 1:160, and the word 'Nucleolar' is on the results. (What does this mean?) The Myeloperoxidase (whatever that is) is >9, considered positive (for what?).
I started sobbing - after eight years of rubbish from dismissive doctors, finally a lab test showing that something is wrong, I really am seriously ill, I'm not a malingerer or a nutter. Like most of the folks here, my file is full of trash like "seeking attention", "exagerating symptoms", "drug addict", "just needs therapy and exercise".
Two hours later the doctor's office left a message that "The test results are perfectly normal"
Huh?
If it's 'normal' to have all these symptoms and abnormal test results, why bother to order the tests? I do understand that one out-of-range test by itself might not be significant, but so far I haven't come across anything that suggests ANA titer of 1:160 is not significant.
Should I look for (another) new doctor or for new tests?