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A MyFibroTeam Member asked a question 💭
Vallejo, CA

I have been treating fibromyalgia with 60mg Cymbalta, weekly acupuncture, stretching and diet for the last year. I’ve had new symptoms like rash and tenderness on scalp, knees, hips, chest, throat pain and difficulty swallowing, and increased body pain and fatigue in the last week. Doc did ANA, CRP, ESR, ALT, TSH blood tests. Are there others I should be asking for?

April 16
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A MyFibroTeam Member

If you are concerned about an autoimmune disease maybe ask for a referral to rheumatology.
Some conditions are seronegative.

My autoimmune condition rarely flags in lab work. 🤷‍♀️💛

April 19
MyFibroTeam

What additional tests should you ask your doctor about for autoimmune conditions?

Your doctor has already ordered several important tests. The ANA test checks if your immune system has been overactive, which can indicate autoimmune conditions. CRP and ESR measure inflammation levels, while TSH checks thyroid function, and Show Full Answer

What additional tests should you ask your doctor about for autoimmune conditions?

Your doctor has already ordered several important tests. The ANA test checks if your immune system has been overactive, which can indicate autoimmune conditions. CRP and ESR measure inflammation levels, while TSH checks thyroid function, and ALT assesses liver health.

Given your new symptoms, here are some additional tests you might discuss with your doctor:

- Complete blood count (CBC) to check for anemia or other blood abnormalities
- Comprehensive metabolic panel to assess kidney function and electrolyte levels
- Additional autoantibody tests if your ANA is positive
- Urinalysis to check for kidney involvement

Your new symptoms like rash, scalp tenderness, throat pain, and difficulty swallowing are concerning and warrant thorough investigation. These could indicate various conditions that need to be ruled out.

It's important to have an open conversation with your rheumatologist or primary care provider about these new symptoms. They can determine which additional tests are appropriate based on your specific symptom pattern and initial test results. The diagnostic process can take time, as doctors need to carefully rule out other conditions that can cause similar symptoms.

April 16

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