-
Autoimmune Disease Lab Results
Hi B and Daniel,A loved one recently developed arthritis in her neck (at 26 years old), and lab tests were ordered to check for autoimmune disease. Her mom has rheumatoid arthritis, but got diagnosed a few years ago, so there may be a genetic component.
These results are attached (the black boxes are just identifying information/location of tests). Her primary care doctor said that she seems to have some sort of autoimmune disease (most probably lupus) because ANA and RNP antibodies are positive. The rheumatologist declined her referral because they claim the lab results aren’t typically associated with autoimmunity.
Based on the lab results, what would you suspect the case is?
What lifestyle suggestions would you recommend for someone with arthritis and this lab work?
I’ve told her the following already:
- supplementing with Magnesium
- NIR/red light therapy for arthritis
- cleaning up her diet/resolving any gut issues
Would supplementing with vitamin D (with K2) be beneficial? I’m not sure if she’s deficient (but most people where she lives are because of the weather), but I’ve read studies on there being a correlation between deficiency & autoimmune disease.Thanks a ton!
-
1 Reply
-
in functional medicine, we don’t really put much weight on the diagnosis or label (or lack thereof) and instead emphasize the importance of understanding who this individual is and what dynamics are allowing an autoimmune activation given the positive ANA and RNP result.
Two people can have the same autoimmune diagnosis but completely different root cause reasons.
If you haven’t yet watched the Thyroid course, I’d encourage you to watch the Autoimmune Disease Facts video even though I’m focusing on Thyroid health, to better understand how autoimmunity takes place.
Then watch Autoimmune Thyroiditis Recommendations for some steps to take to begin addressing autoimmunity. Although this video focuses on the thyroid, testing immune nutrients (like vitamin D, A, and zinc for example) and looking for root cause reasons will be the same in all autoimmune cases. It’s just a matter of finding her root cause reasons and triggers.
I would encourage you to get her to join B Better so we can better guide her as well.
The forum ‘Ask Your Questions’ is closed to new discussions and replies.
