Caitlin's latest results

Everything looks good. Rheumy decided to order new tests this time around. Wbc is improving & ESR is in the normal range. It never has been normal until now. DsDna is still positive and some other test called LDH is highly elevated but that is about it. Im not sure if we've gotten back all the results yet. The only other thing they are watching are some brown spots that have started popping up on her arms. The rheumy thought it looked like skin cancer at first but after looking more closely with a light, she said it was probably nothing, but a referral to a dermatologist would be necessery if more showed up. Counts today were 101 so I think next week, she will start alternating weeks with Nplate! Cant wait!

Sounds good, Pauline! Keep an eye on that LDH...hopefully it goes down next time.

I thought LDH had something to do with cholesterol or do I have my acronyms mixed up? If it is not this, what is it? I will look it up online when I have a chance to double check.

For the first time, i actually have dsdna titers which is 1:320. Range shows <10. C4 complements are 14 and range is 11-61. I think C4 complement has only been below the normal range once. Wow, I still have a hard time believing any of these results because I have such a normal, active, happy girl! I jus pray it stays that way regardless of what the labs show...

You have an elevated dsDNA, or Caitlin does? The titer of 1:320 looks like an ANA titer.

An LDH does have to do with cholesterol, but it can also mean many other things.

Its labelled as dsDNA IgG Titer-Reflex. Standard range is <1:10 and hers is 1:320. Strange that she could have high cholesterol because she is the healthiest eater in my family and so physically active. I read a little more on it and it says it could mean tissue damage or a fracture in some cases. She is one that will cover fractures until she can no longer stand it anymore. She did a competition a few years ago and immediately afterwards, asked me to take her to the dr for an xray. Turned out she had covered up a broken wrist for almost 5 weeks so that she could compete. She had to wear a cast for 8 weeks. I think she has extremely high pain tolerance as well as zero fear to anything.

Hmmm. I've never seen a dsDNA titered like that.

Wow - hiding a fracture? Unreal! What are we going to do with her?

I finally found something online. Low dsDNA titers are 1:20-1:340, while the others are higher. It seems to say something to do with the amount of disease activity, like where the higher it is, the possibility of there being more severe issues going on. (Not always true though.) I was looking on the LFA boards as well, but don't seem to get the info I'm looking for on there. I have not heard back from the rheumy so I think Caitlin is to just continue doing what she has been doing.

I've become a research freak since Caitlin was diagnosed with ITP and I have to say that it has really made me more aware and feel more compassionate towards others struggling with various illnesses. My older daughter had to pick two diseases/disorders to study and compare/contrast for her Biology class and she picked SLE and MS. She had no idea that Caitlin had been diagnosed with UTCD/Lupus (I put both bec the rheumy is still undecided) and was really upset because she had done the research. I assured her that Caitlin would be fine and that nothing is going on right now. Caitlin also assured her and said that the Plaquenil is what will help keep her healthy. So I think we've got another "hawk" in the family that will help make sure Caitlin takes her meds everyday, lol! Maybe I'll make sure the two of them room together in college as well. (Wishful thinking, but they are only a year apart in grade.) As far as Caitlin's daredevilness...I've learned I have to go with the flow and only teach her of the possible consequences that could happen. As hard as parenting is, I've also learned that if we control them too much, they're going to go behind our backs and do it anyways so we just arm them with our wisdom and love along the way!