Hi I am wondering if anyone else has experience or knows about low immunoglins. I have arthritis for over a year now with no explanation. I am negative for all markers of RA (RF and anti-CCP) and HLA B27 negative. It appears to be non-destructive to the joints and the only elevations are ESR and CRP. Recently two times my labs have come back and indicate low immunoglogulin levels. This is apparently a very rare occurence since it only recently started in my late twenties, and I rarely get sick. Can anyone here tell me if they have experienced something similar. The only medication I have taken so far is sulfasalazine.
Hello Rx
I too am on Sulpha, this drug supresses the immune system. If it is lowering your immunoglobins (your antibodies), then it may leave you open to recurrent infections that you wouldnt normally get more than one of a year. For example, I occasionally got sinisitus badly. Since being on sulfa, my immunoglobins are down and I've had a non stop sinus infection since about Jun and my tinitus is so loud I cant hear myself think
I had bloods done last month and these will be checked against this months to see if they are lower or if they are just staying low. I havent been told what, if any decisions will be made if they are lower, so I cant be of any more help than that... but you're not alone
I suspect they will want another couple of monthly blood tests before they make a decision.
I too, am seronegative for RA and have no swelling or damage, just the typical symmetrical joint pain which has spread to nearly all my joints. I have low IgG. I asked my family dr about this and she said it could indicate a rare type of myeloma, but it seems to me it is more likely from being on immunosuppresants. My immunoglobulins are now checked monthly. I want to ask my rheum at my next appt but that is in late February. In spite of all this I never get colds or the flu. Hopefully someone here will know more.
Laker