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Understanding blood results

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Posted 3/20/2021 3:29 PM (GMT -6)
Hi everyone. 35 yr old female and I’ve got some interesting things going on. After 3 months of different rashes (including malar) and face swelling I finally went to a dermatologist (this all started after what I think was poison ivy). The derm visit was on the tail end of those 3 months and only had a new rash and hives on my legs. In any case, after looking at my photo log of the 3 months of rashes, he did bloodwork which was a positive ANA and high positive SSA antibody. Fast forward 3 months and I just got my additional bloodwork from the rheumatologist. Again positive Ana (1:320) and high positive SSA (over 30 positive and mine was 70). I have had not had any rash episodes, just the malar that comes and goes and fleeting joint pain in my knees. Besides low vitamin d (23), all of the liver/kidney bloodwork was normal. He did mention that I had high thyroid antibodies (over 60 is positive and mine was over 400). He said I do not have lupus NOW, but may have something brewing. Is it always just a watch and see? I’d rather advice on how to prevent it from brewing!
Posted 3/21/2021 4:04 AM (GMT -6)
Based on symptoms and blood tests, that does sound suspicious of SLE. Unfortunately, I don't know of any treatments that have been proven to prevent it getting worse (if it will).

So it probably is just a wait and see, with you following up with the rheumatologist on a regular basis and getting treatment as needed, ie, if and when anything develops.
Posted 3/21/2021 11:21 AM (GMT -6)
I've had Lupus since 2000 and have never heard of any preventative measures pre-disease, but I have heard of ways to avoid disease flares and symptoms once you have Lupus. I can't think of any reason why there would be any difference between the two.

Here are some tips from one website:
- Limit your time in direct sunlight if sun exposure causes a rash. You should always wear a sunscreen with an SPF of 70 or higher that blocks both UVA and UVB rays.
- Try to avoid medications, if feasible, that make you even more sensitive to the sun.Trusted Source This includes the antibiotics minocycline (Minocin) and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim), and diuretics such as furosemide (Lasix) or hydrochlorothiazide.
- Develop stress management techniques. Meditate, practice yoga, or get massages — whatever helps calm your mind.
- Stay away from people who are sick with colds and other infections.
- Get enough sleep. Go to bed early enough each night to guarantee yourself seven to nine hours of rest.

I would suggest looking at the anti-inflammation diet. Avoiding sugars and low-value carbs are probably my top suggestions for keeping your body as healthy as you can and possibly avoiding a flood of future Lupus symptoms.
Posted 3/21/2021 7:09 PM (GMT -6)
Thank you both. I definitely get my rest, I probably average 9.5 hours or more a night. And I need to be better about the sun as I love the outdoors and spend all of my free time outside. I am really interested in diet for potential autoimmune diseases and how that could potentially help. I did Autoimmune Paleo for 6 months for a different skin issue (not recognized as an AI, but “leaky gut” related) and after 15 years of nothing else working... my skin showed improvement within two weeks and was in remission in 1.5 months. Do you think something like the Mediterranean diet would be sufficient? The AIP diet I did is really hard to maintain!

Post Edited (Clairebear7284) : 3/21/2021 7:14:30 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 3/21/2021 11:26 PM (GMT -6)
I try to eat pretty healthy, but I don't adhere to any specific diet. I don't think there's enough evidence to say that one diet or another works (it's really hard to do controlled studies on diets, as there is just so much variety). But find something that works for you and is relatively 'healthy,' meaning fruits, veggies, whole grains if you eat them, nuts, seeds, lean protein, fish, etc, and not so much processed food, fried food, sugar, fast food, etc.
Posted 3/22/2021 9:37 AM (GMT -6)
My Lupus is much happier (ie, better controlled) when I avoid sugar (except for fresh fruit) and don't eat very many processed carbs.

I disagree, there is TONS of scientific evidence showing lowering the sugar and processed carbs in your diet lowers the inflammation markers in your blood. Lower inflammation equals less disease activity.
Posted 3/22/2021 3:58 PM (GMT -6)
Which inflammation markers are you referring to?
Posted 3/28/2021 3:36 PM (GMT -6)
Well. It happened again. I hadn’t had a rash or any weird skin things since end of January. I went turkey hunting Saturday (actually have been turkey hunting a good bit in the last two weeks with no issue)... we had a super long walk back to the truck, up a lot of hills. Super high humidity but good cloud cover, never felt the sun beaming on me. Definitely got really hot though. about 20 minutes after getting back to the truck my face broke out in a super painful rash, across the lower part of my forehead, Across cheeks, and around my mouth. It was excruciating all of yesterday, and is definitely the same sensation as three other rash outbreaks. Woke up this morning with both eyes almost swollen shut and feel terrible. It’s the first time I’ve noticed the rash right after being physically exerted outside... don’t think it was from the sun, but from overheating. I have never sweated properly and have always struggled cooling off. My skin on my face does feel like my own, it’s leathery, almost striped, welted etc. I had on spf 50 and a hat. Has anyone noticed flares after being hot not necessarily from direct sunlight?
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