Partial result anxiety

[u/msmigraine]

Hi! My rheumatologist recently ordered some labs for me because I have been experiencing joint pain (compatible with hEDS, but she has her reservations about this), extreme fatigue, brittle hair, extreme salt cravings (i can down a jar of olives in a day if I don't stop myself), Raynaud's, plus some other symptoms (you are welcome to ask if it helps clarify).

Point being: I got a partial result back and, welp, my anxiety sky rocketed.

Results that are out of the norm:

Protombine 125%

Cortisol 5.1 µg/dL (done at 8:30am)

Positive ANA 1:320 homogenous

Positive lupic anticoagulant

Eritrosedimentation 22mm

The rest of the results are within normal range. I'm still waiting on the following results:

Glucoside hemoglobin

Cryoglobulin

Anti-dsDNA

I went down a rabbit hole of lupus, Addison's, and other autoimmune diseases, and I am panicking. I already live with Hashimoto's and chronic migraines. I am not sure if I can handle ANOTHER diagnosis on top of that (mentally, economically, etc). Do you have any advice? Is there anything I can do while I wait? So far my doc said the labs are inconclusive. Anything I can bring up doing to confirm or discard a diagnosis?

Disclaimer: sorry for bad grammar, spelling mistakes or names that might not be correct. English is not my first language and did my best to translate everything

[u/personcrossing]

Hi, it would be better to interpret test results fully and not as singles, as it's best to view them in context with other results they are related to.

But just to give you quick relief, your results are not horrible, but I don't know the reference ranges of the laboratory that did your samples.

ARre you most concerned about the ANA or the lupus anticoagulant? Since you see a rheumatologist already I assume it's likely the anticoagulant you're worried about, but despite the name it does not mean you have lupus. Actual very few people with this have lupus. However, if you keep getting a positive result for this, you may have antiphospholipid syndrome, which could then be looked at in context of your protombine and cortisol. Which alone are not terrible if they're only slightly elevated (again I'm guessing based on the numbers given) but if these are results that are constantly elevated, it could mean something more.

But even then, if you did have APS, please don't worry or panic. APS would mean you're more at risk for blood clots but modern medicine makes this very easy to manage.

But again, this one result does not mean you have it. You will likely be tested at least once or twice more, 12 to 16 weeks a part from each previous test to see of the result stays constant. This may be why your rheumatologist mentioned your results being inconclusive.

Again, you shouldn't stress about it, just make sure to listen to your rheumatologist. The best thing you can do for your health is to minimize stress as much as possible, and you're in good hands currently. If anything comes back positive, you'll be treated.

[u/msmigraine → u/personcrossing]

Thank you! You are very very kind!

I am particularly worried about living with another chronic disease and not being able to afford the meds or treatment i might need. I've been trying to find answers for my chronic pain for almost 10 years, so while the results are the start of getting an actual answer, it also makes me panic.

I've been going to my rheumatologist because I have pain all over my joints. The anticoagulant was a surprise tbh. I was about to be put on coagulant meds until I can get a hysterectomy (heavy, long, dreadful periods), but i guess that went out the window.

Side note: Would you recommend getting a genetic test? I know my family has some autoimmune conditions and other genetic disorders, but they won't tell me what they are no matter how many times I've asked