Question on Test Results

[Shelly]

Hi all,

When I was diagnosed with Sjogren's in December of 2011, I just kind of was in shock and the rheum. whisked me out of his office (don't worry, I'm in the process of finding a new one!), but as I was doing my research on the disorder I decided that I would like a copy of my blood work that my rheum. had ordered. 

Well, I picked up the blood work today and my WBC is low (3.5) when the range is (3.8-10. but this is no surprise since we seem to have low WBC counts.  My SS-A was positive ( and my SS-B among other antibody tests were negative. 

I just have a couple of questions about this.  My first question is I was wondering if the more 'positive' the SS-A test result is, if the risk of progression of the disorder is greater?  Also, I had read somewhere that if there is a positive result for SS-A and not SS-B, that the risk is greater for developing another autoimmune disorder (whereas a positive SS-A and SS-B would most likely mean primary Sjogrens)?  Lastly, WBC isn't that significant right?  I don't want to be concerned about anything I don't have to be!

Anyway, those are my questions.  I've had swollen lymph nodes for a little over a month now in the back of my neck and have been put on an antibiotic but it hasn't helped at all.  The next step is a CT/biopsy to see what is going on with them.  Fingers crossed!

Any input on the test results would be greatly appreciated and I hope all of you had a wonderful Valentine's Day 

Cheers,
Shelly

[Shelly]

Wow, it looks like I accidentally put some smiley faces in there that were not meant to be put in my post!  Sorry about that!  The first smiley is supposed to read 10.8!

[anita]

I'm sure others will be by with more thoughts, but here's mine.

As far as I know, the level of SSA has no bearing on progression.  Actually some that are sero-negative can be in severe condition so it's really just a case by case thing.  Some won't progress fast, others will...labs have nothing to do with it (other than get a diagnosis from those stubborn docs that don't read up on Sjogren's...lol).

Your WBC is low, but not grossly low, so I personally wouldn't worry.  Like you said it is kind of normal for us to run a little low.  However, if you have any strange things going on, then bring it to your doctors attention.

[mshistory]

My ANA, SS-A and RF are all VERY high, and I was told that had nothing to do with disease progression or severity. I'm SS-B negative as well, but haven't been told I'm at a greater risk for developing other AI diseases...I think we all are at a higher risk just by having at least one AI disease.

I don't know about the WBC...mine are always in the normal range I think. I know my proteins are always high which is common with systemic inflammation, and I'm prone to anemia, but the WBC's so far have been behaving 

[Shelly]

anita and mshistory,

Thank you!  That is just what I wanted to hear...I am anemic as well but my whole family is so I'm not sure if that's part of the Sjogren's or just bad genetics!  I've only ever had one CRP test and that was high as well so I attributed that to the Sjogren's too.  My ANA came back borderline positive at 1:40 and my rheum wasn't even going to order anymore tests at first but then with my swollen glands, he decided to order more specific antibody tests and my SS-A came back positive. 

I'm just trying to get a grip on everything to do with this disorder right now since my diagnosis in Dec 2011 because I am only 24 years old and I want to prevent progression as much as possible!  I just thought I'd ask some questions about blood values 
Thank you!
Shelly

[meow]

I have had swollen glands in the back of my neck to some degree, for years. And one down near my collarbone. Maybe that's where the uber-immunity factory is in full gear! I notice that when I am starting a flare, however, that those same glands feel sore. So it's one of those impending-doom signals that tell me it's time go to bed really early every night for a week, to lessen the impact.