Thank you en bloc,

I have mitral valve prolapse since I was in my 20's. I had a stress test in Sept. 2010 and its same. I don't take medicine for it. My BP is okay. I have SOB both while at rest and in exertion but more while in exertion.

While I was actively treated for my lacrimal gland inflammation my schirmer's results were:

May/2011:

Right eye : 3 milli
Left eye. : 4 milli

Aug/2011:

Right eye : 5 mili
Left eye. : 6 milli

I read that anything below 5 is indicative of sjorgren's.
I will see my ophthalmologist next month.

Although those numbers are low enough to be considered related to Sjogren's, they were done during the inflammation of the lacrimal gland. It will be interesting to see what those numbers are now that this has resolved. If they are still low, you should consider the lip biopsy to confirm/deny Sjogren's.

Something is definitely going on with you that's causing the lung inflammation. I feel certain they will find the answers soon.

Thank you so much, en bloc!

I sincerely hope that we find resolutions in all our health problems.

Dear Mrs.D,

In one of your links about neurosarcoidosis, it says that one of the workups is Serum protein immune electrophoresis. My questions are:

1. Is this test the same as Serum protein electrophoresis?
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1147324-workup

2. Is ACE the first protocol for Sarcoidosis diagnosis?

I was just wondering if, assuming, Serum protein immune electrophoresis and serum protein electrophoresis are the same, and it was mentioned that it is one of the diagnosis for sarcoid, is it safe to assume Mrs.D that a normal serum protein electrophorisis could mean without sarcoid?

Thank you so much Mrs.D

I believe the ACE test is done first. It is blood work, and easy to do.

When that comes back elevated, I believe they move on to other tests. (the doctor decides).

I am not a test expert, but I do think electrophoresis is for separating out protein mixtures so they can be individually identified. This test is more complex and hence more expensive. The molecules separate out by weight (hence size) when the current is applied to the solution mixture.

I just asked because I had Serum Protein Electrophoresis and came back unremarkable (which is good!). I was hoping this rules out sarcoid - which is what I am really really hoping for.

Thank you Mrs.D

I think Glenntaj is the one to comment really on this.

The electrophoresis is showing OTHER things besides ACE for
differential diagnosis.

But having the ACE elevated is necessary for other reasons of diagnosis.

interstitial lung disease is diffuse throughout the lung and not confined to one area of the lung

--a serum protein electrophoresis is designed as a screening test for detection of abnormal proteins int he bloodstream, and is designed more to detect rogue antibodies, or M-proteins (monoclonal antibodies), that may be associated with certain blood diseases, particularly blood cancers such as myeloma or Waldenstrom's.

The more specific test is an immunofixation electrophoresis of both serum and urine, which enumerates the immunoglobulin antibody classes--IgA, IgM, IgG--and looks for any monoclonals.

Yes, thanks Glenn!

You see, the ACE test is not 100% specific to sarcoidosis.

So some of the other tests on that list on that link, are differential...meaning to see if ANOTHER thing is present that may elevate the ACE.

And, people can have more than one thing going on anyway.
Sarcoid is not well understood as to what causes it, yet.