Blood test result

[Cookyboy1]

Hi my granddaughter has been having immune system problems for the last 6 months or more, up to great almondstreet hospital, our local hospital, backwards and forwards to the doctor, at last she has had an Anca test which I suggested she should have and if it was positive then hopefully she could get an appointment at addenbrooke's, the test results came back but can not understand them, could anyone help please,

[Nadine99]

I don't know the answer to your question, but I'm sure someone else will be along but what does surprise me, is that whoever wrote this report is using the old name of Wegener's for the now renamed Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA). Maybe they aren't keeping up?

[PMRpro in reply to Nadine99]

There are plenty of rheumatologists who still use the term Wegener's - because that is what their older patients and non-specialist colleagues worldwide are familiar with. In giant cell arteritis there are still doctors in other countries who call it Horton's disease - he described it in 1932, others call it temporal arteritis - despite the fact it affects far more than the temporal artery!

[AmyS1]

I would talk to the vasculitis uk helpline. This obviously needs discussion with her consultant. It doesn't rule out vasculitis. It is an unclear result ( medicine is not always clear cut!!). Basically what they are saying is that the result is uncertain but if she has classical symptoms then she may have vasculitis. It will need to be taken into account of any medications. If she has started any steroids etc then that might affect the result. Talk to the vasculitis uk helpline.

[PMRpro]

It does say quite clearly that the MPO and PR3 ANCA are not elevated (raised) and that makes a diagnosis of Wegener's or microscopic angiitis unlikely UNLESS there is a strong histological evidence showing they are present.

It does seem to rule it out - unless a biopsy has been done and shows the changes they are talking about.

[AndrewT]

Dear Cookyboy1,

The Results Don't look, too bad, to me. A 'few' a Tad Out..... Not that Blood Results, par say, necessarily 'Tell' you much- especially a One Of result.

Prior to me going onto Dialysis, way back in 2009 (I had a Transplant in July 2013), my Creatinine 'Jumped' All Over the place- for years. In the end, my Own Doctor, practically 'Ignored' it and based my Overall Condition on 'other' factors.

You don't say How 'old', your Granddaughter is, not that that really matters but, are we talking six, sixteen, twenty- six or older. My advice, for a Child, might be 'Different' to what I would advise for a Twenty year old.

I'm happy to discuss this further Cookyboy1, either here or, if you prefer you can PM me. Either way I know, that we ALL, wish your Granddaughter well.

AndrewT

[Cookyboy1 in reply to AndrewT]

Thank you for replying. My granddaughter is 17 years old.

She’s from the age of 12 had periods of blackouts she has been diagnosed with cold urticaria three years ago but seems to be appearing as solar urticaria to.

She suffers with daily migraines and fatigue. She has a degenerative spine and has had occasions and severe asthma.

She’s had recent blood tests that show her white blood count is low and that her central Hemoglobin is low to. The ANCA bloods were taken and results as above. My daughter has had little help from her gp so is at a loss really any advice would be much appreciated. She’s just been put on steroids to improve her breathing, but is suffering with severe cramping of the stomach.

The bloods are all we have to go by at the minute.

Thank you again

[John_Mills Volunteer in reply to Cookyboy1]

If you contact the VUK helpline they maybe able to help.

[Mooka]

Hi Cookyboy

I’m in remission and that is the same wording I get on my ANCA blood test results from addenbrookes. I take it to mean unless there’s other reasons to suspect it I don’t have active vasculitis. I hope your granddaughter gets a diagnosis soon.

[Wizzi]

This could be the case of a good prevention. When my son was dx as MPA his MPO anca were less than 20 but he was in kidney failure. Doctor dx his vasculitis at first only because he had fever (37.2) that didn't go away and from urine test. We were just in time to have his kidney back (now 50%of function). I mean : this desease runs very fast and I suggest you to pay attention to fever, loss of weight and to ask for routine blood test.