biomarkers in the urine that could be used to better diagnose when a person with the condition is relapsing

[Garyork]

An interesting artical in the Irish times irishtimes.com/newspaper/sc...

[Coppernob]

Interesting because I was building up to asking a question about ANA and ANCA serum tests for vasculitis when you're already on immunosuppressants. I wonder if the immunosuppressants could lower serum marker levels, thus leading to false negatives. And, if so, are there alternative, more sensitive tests that can be applied?

I've recently been tested and my ANA and ANCA serum levels came back normal but even my consultant wondered whether 400mg/d Plaquenil could be depressing those levels in the blood. If so, that might still mean that I have vasculitis but it will have been disregarded.

Thoughts/suggestions anyone?

[John_Mills Volunteer in reply to Coppernob]

This is interesting..I will get John onto this........ he is just on the phone at the mo.. a distaught mum who's 18 year old daughter has just been diagnosed with WG..

[John_Mills Volunteer]

This is very interesting....thank you for sharing this article Garyork