TB test: any autoimmune concerns?

I'm being asked to take a TB test to work on a particular client project. I've not seen any concerns raised here about this test and was wondering if anyone had any opinions.

They also want me to be up to date on tetanus, which I'm not going to do but I wasn't sure about the TB test, which is diagnostic not a vaccination.
thanks, Erica

2 years ago I had to have a tetnus shot because of a dog bite. I also had to have a TB skin test for work about the same time. I did check with my hematologist about both and she told me go ahead. I did not have any problems with either. My ITP was in remission at the time and stayed in remission.

Can you check with your regular doctor before you have it?

What does your doctor say?

www.mayoclinic.com/health/tuberculosis/DS00372/DSECTION=tests-and-diagnosis
"The most commonly used diagnostic tool for tuberculosis is a simple skin test. A small amount of a substance called PPD tuberculin is injected just below the skin of your inside forearm."

www.medicinenet.com/tuberculosis_skin_test_ppd_skin_test/page3.htm
"Live bacteria are not used in the test, so there is no chance of developing tuberculosis from the test."

Melinda and dru both wisely suggest asking my doctor. While that sounds simple, I wonder how others handle that because it isn't that simple and I don't have any faith in getting a good answer. I have a general doctor who I see once or twice a year, an obgyn twice a year, a hematologist I haven't seen in a couple years since my counts have been normal, and a rheumatologist I haven't seen in about a year and a half or so since I don't have any symptoms that interest him. Do I have to make an appointment with some or all of them to find out their opinions on these tests? Are any of them likely to have a clue? If there was any research I could find it myself. I don't have a way to email my doctors. I can leave a message at their office. Basically what I'm saying is, it's a frigging ordeal and I trust you all more than I trust the individual experiences of my doctors on a lot of things.
Erica

I'm tempted to ask about both tetanus vacc and TB test to see if they express any concern about the tetanus as kind of a check on if they even think about the answer.
Erica

eklein wrote: I have a general doctor who I see once or twice a year, an obgyn twice a year, a hematologist I haven't seen in a couple years since my counts have been normal, and a rheumatologist I haven't seen in about a year and a half or so since I don't have any symptoms that interest him. ... Basically what I'm saying is, it's a frigging ordeal and I trust you all more than I trust the individual experiences of my doctors on a lot of things.
Erica

Well Erica when I asked my MD about getting a tetanus booster in 2002 I had been seeing the man since 1982 thanks to high blood pressure and then ITP, not to mention the sinus infections that would hit. He and I had a good relationship. He looked at my record and told me since there was no problem with the booster in 1992 it would be ok. As it turns out, no there wasn't a problem after the 1992 booster but there sure was one after the 2002 booster.

So the moral to the story is - you just never know.

Chances are since you haven't seen any of your doctors recently they may want to see you before giving their opinion - so yes it will be a hassle for you.

My personal opinion, for my body, is I won't get a TB test. And my MD that I have now, we had to change medical 7 years ago, has already put it in my chart no tetanus boosters.

yes, that does sound like a big hassle. And you are right it might not get you anywhere. Maybe since everything is good with you, you would be better off to leave it alone, I agree with Melinda-you just never know. In April I tried a herbal sleep medication and a week or so after that my platelets were down. Did that cause a relapse for me? I don't know, maybe or maybe not. I think those of us with autoimmune disorders need to be extra careful with vaccines, medications, and supplements too.

dru,
I agree with you, our auto-immune diseases can be triggered by things that aren't a problem for other people. I started showing signs of SLE (and ITP) not quite six months after some comprehensive allergy testing (dozens of those skin pricks with some serums under the skin). I'll never know if it was really a cause.

This might create a hassle at work, where I'm sort of forced to reveal information about my medical condition - I'll have to say on the form that no I'm not current on tetanus and not getting a shot. So might not be able to work for that client, etc. I never thought about this coming up, I'm not 'out' about my health at work. And it could be difficult to get a doctor to agree that it is inadvisable to get these inocculations. Or maybe none of this will come to pass.
Erica

My dr told me no tetnus booster. I had a bad cut on my hand and ended up in the ER he got called and told them under no circumstances am I to get one.

As for the TB he said the same thing. You can get a chest xray with will show if you have TB. I work in the medical field so it is required. I just got a dr note and got the xray.

I might add that I was advised against getting the whooping cough vaccine as well. You never know what it can trigger.

IMO, most (and I really mean most) doctors won't even bother to consider your overall health status because most think vaccines are fine, TB testing, etc. I would venture to guess if you checked with 3 of them they'd not hesitate in saying to get tested without even batting an eyelash at your concerns. That said, anything that uses disease serum (dead or alive) into the body as a mode of testing (or vaccine) would raise red flags for me. Yes, it's not "live" serum. Your immune system doesn't care. It's a foreign invader. I'm not sure I'd chance low platelets again for that much of an unknown. Just a thought......

Erica - we think alike. I wouldn't even bother asking any of my doctors because I don't trust the answer anyway. They would answer based on their beliefs. I'd do my own research.

My daughter that has Graves and asthma has to have TB tests for work at a hospital. She also has to keep her immunizations up to date - requirement. She will usually have her titers done before getting the vaccines, but the TB test is one they won't budge on. It make me crazy - sure, my only child with autoimmune problems is the one in the medical field. I'm always holding my breath when it comes to her. I have told her 10,000 times to always try to get out of all of that if possible. If it comes down to losing her job, do what she has to do. Then I turn it off in my brain and realize that I can only do so much and worry so much. I can't control everything, and she is really intelligent about decision making.

As for allergy tests, I wouldn't doubt that theory. I have read that anyone with SLE shouldn't even get allergy shots, so it wouldn't surprise me that allergy tests could trigger it.

Thank you everybody, this is all great information and advice. I will not get the vaccinations, I am current from childhood on all of them although the records may or may not be in dusty boxes in my parents' house. Doing the chest xray for tb instead is a great suggestion.

My project manager told me to just fill out the form with yes or no or dates, as appropriate and not offer any other explanation, then let the client process it how they will. And see what happens. My work would be in an administrative building, with no patients around - and of course, tetanus isn't even contagious so they can't say it is just a contagion issue.
Erica

If you've had tetanus jabs up until recently, chances are you've had enough anyway. We don't do them ad infinitum any more as they say it isn't necessary.

As for the TB, aren't you routinely inoculated in childhood? I had to show the scar from mine just yesterday which means I don't need testing. Did have a hep B vaccination yesterday though so will see what that does. Exciting times!

If one is required by law to have a TB test (like Sandi's daughter and like CA schoolteachers), one CAN have a chest x-ray instead of the skin test.

I myself would have preferred the skin test, but when I began testing positive (they think all the skin tests put me over), then I had to have chest x-rays. I think it was every three years, but I could be wrong about that. I taught a LOT of years. I had a LOT of TB tests!

Thanks, I'll mention that to my daughter.

I would ring the hemo department and ask them over the phone if its okay for you to have both tests. That way they can ask you to go to them first if they want to check platelet levels first.

but you should have both tetnus and tb checks if the job requires them because if you don't and you become sick then it be problems for you with insurance and yourself later on.

Yes, I would most defintaley ring the hemo department regardless of when you last saw them. If you don't know their number, then ring the general hospital number and asked to be put through to them....

That should be straight forward enough without having to see any general doc but get the specialist knowledge over the phone;)