immunity check

[ClinkatyClank]

What happens at an immunity check at a hospital ? Anyone had one ?

[237SJ]

What sort of immunity check? I`ve had a TB one. I doubt that`s what you`re referring to though.

[bednobs]

probably a blood test

[mandamoo1989]

I work in a hospital laboratory, immunity is normally tested on a blood. What are they checking immunity against? Common immunity checks are for things like measles etc. They are useful for finding out if you have had a particular infection or have been vaccinated against it.

[ClinkatyClank]

Mandanoo - what would be the procedure to test immunity in your opinion ?

[rowanwitch]

Depends what they are testing for... could you give a little more info

[Ann]

I may be talking out of the back of my head here - but is it a blood test to check the ACE levels? I had Sarcoidosis for 15 years, which is a disease associated with immune deficiency. I had lots of bloods taken every 3 months but it was the ACE level one which showed the progress of the disease.

[Sqad]

Ann......I think you mean ESR

[rowanwitch]

FBC with a differentiated white count.
ESR
Immunoglobulins
RA factor
possibly a response test to immunisations
individual immunities to things like common childhood diseases
Hep B antibodies
various other more complicated ones

[anneasquith]

excuse me cc, sqad did you have a " check up " recently with your cardiologist ?

[Ann]

Sqad I am very interested about this ESR test - in all the years (15) I went to Leicester Royal Infirmary for my Sarcoidosis check ups (had Lupus Pernio too) they never mentioned ESR (what does it stand for please?) - the consultants only talked about the ACE levels and checked to see it was around 5.0 mark. I also had the usual FBC, LFT, Urea, etc and also a 6 monthly test on my liver (as I was taking Methotrexate for many years) Procollagen Peptide II which was a new test (then) instead of me having a liver biopsy (thank goodness!). After 4 years in remission I have been getting a few minor symptoms of my Lupus Pernio back again also very swollen painful knees, so I feel I need to have a check up soon (LRI just crossed me off the books in 2008 as my tests were always ok and no monitoring since) I have a different GP now so should I be asking him to do a ESR? Would be interested in hearing your experiences with Sarcoidosis as in 1992 when I was diagnosed they told me it was relatively rare. I got on my face (red skin, lesions on nose and cheek) also a few bone cysts in fingers, painful joints, and showed up on chest Xray (which they said Sarcoid always showed as a shadow) I was very lucky, wasn't breathless, and the Methotrexate worked wonders and I didn't really know I had the condition. I had Prednisolone steroids at first but had to be taken off them 6 months later as they caused major hair loss.

[Mamyalynne]

Hi Ann, found this.

Blood Tests: Blood analyses evaluate the number and types of blood cells in the body. The tests also measure the blood levels of various proteins, such as angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), which are known to be involved in immunological activities, as well as increases in calcium levels. ACE is made by cells in the granulomas. However, ACE levels are not always elevated in those with the disease. Blood tests can also show liver, kidney and bone marrow abnormalities that can occur with sarcoidosis.

[Mamyalynne]

I have the ESR test quite often too.

http://www.labtestson...analytes/esr/tab/test

[rowanwitch]

Erythropoetin Sedimentation Rate (ESR) a simple test for inflammation which is often present in auto immune conditions as well as infections etc

CR-p another one

[Sqad]

anneaquith.......my check was fine....he had never seen such a perfect physical specimen.....;-)....thanks for asking.

Ann86.....I think this thread is getting a bit confused....so for clarity:

ESR has been explained by other posters, but has very little to do with immunity.
Now Sarcoidosis can affect almost all organs, but Google it to give a comprehensive view.

Common? that is a relative term...a GP may see a dozen cases in a lifetime of practice. a Chest Physician or Skin specialist mat see a dozen cases a year.........that gives you some idea.

ACE.....Angiotensin Converting Enzyme is produced by the body which converts angiotensin into a substance that makes blood vessels smaller and contributes to hypertension (high blood pressure). Now a whole group of BP reducing tablets have been developed to block the effects of ACE called ACE inhibiting agents which block the action and hence lowering the BP.

NOW.......ACE and Sarcoidosis.......there is a direct association with ACE and sarcoidosis which makes monitoring the effects of treatment more accurately with ACE levels than ESR levels.

So in direct answer to your question ESR determinations in your case would be of very little help.

[Ann]

Thanks Sqad for your most comprehensive answer, very helpful. So, in fact I was correct (as in my first post on this thread) to go to my new GP and ask for an ACE levels blood test not ESR? (I got a bit confused as the thread progressed) It remains to be seen if my GP has knowledge of Sarcoidosis if it is indeed as rare as you say, I don't really have much faith in him but can't judge him yet - too early, my other lovely old GP has retired (was it you Sqad??? ;)
Thanks too mamya, rowan and all - there is a wealth of knowledge on this site, that's why I love it so much, people are so helpful x

[Ann]

PS I'm on BP tablets since I went into remission so would these affect the ACE levels? I'm on 5mg Amlodipine and 10mg Ramipril.

[anneasquith]

( he had never seen such a perfect physical speciman ) what^s his dog called ? :) :)

[Sqad]

ann....Amlidopine is not an ACE inhibitor, but Ramipril is, but i doubt that it would affect your ACE levels.............although it would be better to check .............Lazygun OR slaney would be a big help....perhaps on a FAO new thread.

[Ann]

Sorry Clinkaty Clank I seem to have taken over your thread, but maybe the explanations of different types of immunity tests will have been some help to you.

[LazyGun]

I am still a bit confused as to what Clinkaty wants to know, so it is difficult to give an informative answer. It will be, I imagine, an immune response test to a specific challenge, but the OP doesnt really specify. It will almost certainly be a based on a test using blood though.

As to ESR - It is a fairly crude, non- specific screening test, and can be useful in determining the presence of an inflammatory response in the body, or as a consequence of a lymphoproliferative disorder where the reported ESR will be high.

Wiki has a reasonable page about it, if you are interested.
http://en.wikipedia.o...te_sedimentation_rate