Need Advise On Immunology Testing

[Gemma]

Hi everyone. I read on the forum that some people saw immunology doctors to be tested for different viruses and stuff like that. Can someone give me an advise what doctor I need to see for that. I saw an allergy doctor but all he did was give me a skin test. I told him about my story, but he didnt request any special tests, even though his specialty is immulogy. So, am I confused with this, is it some other specialty. I saw some people posted that they were tested for something like imoglubiline or something like that. I dont even know what kind of tests they supposed to perform and what doctor to see. I had mononeclesis virus in december and since then was sick. Asked my primary to check if my virus is still active, but he just said it will show positive anyways because you already had it. Any advice please. Thanks a lot everyone.

[Katybug]

Gemma,

There is a thread titled "Immune System Testing" started by looneymom on Jun 5, 2013. It was asking for the same info. I'm sorry I can't link it but I'm on my phone and don't know how. But if you search for this thread several of us listed all the tests we had. Mine were done by an immunologist (it's not a different specialty but they're not all created equal is the nicest way I can say it). Hope this helps.

[jpjd59]

Gemma:

You might try a doctor who is an infectious disease specialist. They might be more familiar with the testing.

[looneymom]

Gemma:

The post is on page 7. Have you talked to your family doctor? Maybe he knows someone that is just an immunologist.

[Gemma]

Is there such a specialty as infection disease specialist? Does anyone know what tests they would have to run. Someone talked on this forum about certain tests that they run, but I can not find that post. Its something like IGg or Iga, i dont remember the names. Thanks.

[Katybug]

IgG and IgA as well as the other immune testing need to run by an immunologist. Infectious disease doctors (yes, this is a specialty) would run tests looking for things like Lyme disease, Lyme co-infections, HIV, Hepatitis, and any other communicable diseases that might fit your symptomology. If you feel you need the immune testing, you may have to find an immunologist willing to do it if your current one won't.

[Gemma]

Thanks for reply Katybug. I just spoke to my allergy/immunology doc and he said he will order a blood test for me. I was already checked for the lyme disease (negative), HIV (1 false positive which freaked me out, but then following 3 tests showed negative), hepatitis I had checked for my school since I a, in med field and thats negative and I have immunizations for it as well (had to get for school). So besides those would they check for anything else. I asked my immunologist to also check for active epsein barr virus because I had mononucleosis 6 month ago. I don't know what else to ask them to check. Any sugestions. Thanks a lot everyone. I am learning so much on this forum. Without this forum i think doctors would not check me for anything, becuase I constantly have to tell them what to check me for.

[Gemma]

Also Katybug, i see you were diagnosed with allergic rhinitis? How they diagnosed you with it? I feel like I have it, because often feel pressure in my sinuses and hard to breath thru the nose. However my skin test shows no allergies beside one type of tree. Also, saw ENT doc who performed that test where they insert the tube into your nose and said that all looks fine. I dont know maybe its just my sinuses bothering me. He wanted me to do ct scan, but I refused due to radiation. However, my head mri did show that i have mild sinusitis.

[Chaos]

It's sometimes hard to find a good immunologist who will work with you on this. I know I had to travel out state to find one eventually as no one where I lived was willing to work with me, even the "good" ones who are affiliated with the medical school here. If you live in a larger area where you have more choices though you should be able to find one hopefully.

I just posted a link on another thread about Immune System testing with the Stanford University Chronic Fatigue Syndrome website on it. There they list all the viruses and bacteria that they think are linked to our symptoms (POTS and CFS have a lot of overlap) so you might want to check out that list. In the grey box when you click on the viruses they also give you lists of experts and tests and treatments etc. That whole website has a lot of good info and references you might want to check out.

When I saw an immunologist, he ran IGG subclasses as well as Natural Killer Cell Function Assay test (that one was hard to get ordered locally). Also a lymphocyte subset panel 1. Plus all the virus/bacterial ones he felt were appropriate along with regular CBC/CMP etc.

Just as an aside, the NK Cell Function Assay is not the same as the NK function part of the lympocyte subset panel 1 test so don't let your lab tell you it is. It's a completely separate test.

[looneymom]

Can you post the link again Chaos? It won't open. I would like to see this also. My son has an appointment in August to go see an endocrinologist/immunologist.