HomeAnswersRheumatologyautoimmune disorderI suspect having autoimmune disease. Please help.

Does my symptoms point towards autoimmune disease?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

iCliniq medical review team

Published At May 10, 2018
Reviewed AtFebruary 27, 2024

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Based on the following, do I have an autoimmune disease:

  1. An overall feeling of sickness.
  2. Irregular heartbeat sometimes.
  3. Swollen and painful joints.
  4. Swollen legs, ankles, fingers, and toes.
  5. Headaches sometimes.
  6. Shortness of breath.
  7. Psoriasis arthritis.
  8. Visual problems, burning, itching, very dry, red eyes, and light sensitive.
  9. Feeling lightheaded.
  10. Behavior and mood changes, irritability.
  11. Chronic dry mouth.
  12. Sinusitis.
  13. Unexplained weight loss.
  14. Night Sweats.

The test findings are as follows:

  1. 14 mm left kidney stone found four months back (removed via urethroplasty) and 2 mm stone in right kidney.
  2. 11.5 mm left kidney stone found 20 days back.
  3. 4 cm gallstone calcified 4.0 x 3.1 x 3.0 found four months back.
  4. 8 mm calcified benign granuloma spleen and small hiatal hernia in CT scan four years back.
  5. Interosseous hemangioma in T11 vertebral CT scan 20 days back.
  6. C-reaction 2.56 this month.
  7. Vitamin B12 268 and erythrocyte sedimentation 26 this month.

Kindly advise.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I went through your post. Things which favor the diagnosis of autoimmune disease in your case are as follows:

  1. Pain and swelling of joints.
  2. Puffiness of hands and feet.
  3. Dryness of mouth and eyes.
  4. Psoriasis.
  5. You need to be investigated for UCTD (undifferentiated connective tissue disease), RA (rheumatoid arthritis), Sjogren's syndrome.

    The tests you need to do are ANA (anti-nuclear antibody), dsDNA (double-stranded DNA), CBC (complete blood count), anti-Ro/La (for lupus erythematosus), RF (rheumatoid factor), anti-CCP (cyclic citrullinated peptide), urine examination. Once reports are available will help in confirming the diagnosis.

    I hope this helps.

    Thank you.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

What about sarcoidosis?

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Sarcoidosis causes arthritis of ankle joint, dry cough, fever and sometimes erythema nodusum. The diagnosis is established by PFT (pulmonary function testing), X-ray chest, ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) level, and proper clinical examination. Sometimes CT chest is needed. None of your symptoms is suggestive of sarcoidosis. So I have not considered it in the differential diagnosis.

Regards.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

Did you look at the blood tests and CT scan with contrast, that I attached?

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I have got your reports. There are two important findings. One is you have elevated CRP (C-reactive protein) and kidney stones. You have also had high TLC (total leukocyte count) in past possibly due to infection.

You have not been investigated for autoimmune diseases. In addition, you will need investigations for kidney stones which are three days daily serum calcium ALP (alkaline phosphatase) and serum phosphorus. Do 24-hour urinary calcium and serum PTH (parathyroid hormone). Renal tubular acidosis which is common also with autoimmune diseases can cause kidney stones so it may also be a symptom of autoimmune diseases.

I think you should do the above-mentioned tests and autoimmune disease tests mentioned in past answers because there is yet no diagnosis for your illness.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Ashaq Hussain Parrey
Dr. Ashaq Hussain Parrey

Rheumatology

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