Guest guest Posted February 2, 2005 Report Share Posted February 2, 2005 Welcome, W! Sorry to hear that you aren't feeling good. I hope your new rheumatologist will be able to help you. The HLA-B27 test checks for the presence of a certain antigen on your white blood cells - the human leukoctye antigen B27. HLA-B27 is associated with the spondyloarthropathies (ankylosing spondylitis, Reiter's, and psoriatic arthritis, for example), but a positive result can be found in 5 - 10% of people with no signs or symptoms of autoimmune disease. Too, people who are negative for HLA-B27 can have autoimmune diseases. In short, it can be a helpful clue, but, on it's own, it can't be used to make or break a diagnosis. Lab Tests Online " HLA-B27 " : http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/hla_b27/glance.html MedlinePlus " HLA-B27 antigen " : http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003551.htm American Family Physician " Spondyloarthropathies " : http://www.aafp.org/afp/20040615/2853.html I'll tell you where to go! Mayo Clinic in Rochester http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester s Hopkins Medicine http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org [ ] Introduction > > > > Hello, > Glad to have bumped into this group. > I was diagnosed with RA a little over two years ago. Started out > with methotrexate and large dose of steriod . . . then went to > Humira and am now on Remicaid, methotrexate, anti depression, > flexeril and vitamins. Ongoing symptoms led me to a recent diagnosis > of fibromyalgia and the dry eyes and mouth is thought to be > Sjorgens. I'm 55 and had to leave work because I couldn't function > on any level at my job . . . filed for disability and of course have > been turned down and now at the appeal stage. Have cataracts due to > the steriods I took for so long. > I wish I could say I've had a remission but no such luck - I have > good days here and there and I cherish them. > I finally changed my rheumatologist to one closer to me and > more " pro-active " He tested me for the HLA-B20? gene and I have it - > he hasn't told me much yet beyond that I was positive so I've been > trying to learn what I can about it. If anyone knows what that > means, I would love to hear. > I feel worse for my husband and my family - I look the same so it's > hard for them to understand why I can't do all the things I used to > and why I'm so tired . . . > Anyway - I'm looking forward to learning and sharing with others. > > Thanks so much! > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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