What is cryoglobulinemia caused from?

Hepatitis C is the most common infection associated with cryoglobulinemia. Others include hepatitis B, HIV, Epstein-Barr, toxoplasmosis and malaria. Certain cancers. Some cancers of the blood, such as multiple myeloma, Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, can sometimes cause cryoglobulinemia.

What are the symptoms of cryoglobulinemia?

Most people with cryoglobulins have no symptoms other than elevated levels on specially ordered lab tests. When symptoms are present, they are most commonly fatigue, joint pain, numbness or weakness, and a particular rash called purpura that looks like red spots or purple bruises, usually over the lower legs.

When do you suspect cryoglobulinemia?

The diagnosis of a cryoglobulinemia syndrome should be suspected in patients presenting with arthralgia, purpura, skin ulcers, glomerulonephritis, and peripheral neuropathy.

Does cryoglobulinemia go away?

As hepatitis C goes away, the cryoglobulins will disappear in about one half of all people over the next 12 months. Your provider will continue to monitor the cryoglobulins after treatment. Severe cryoglobulinemia vasculitis involves vital organs or large areas of skin.

How do you diagnose cryoglobulinemia?

Diagnosis of cryoglobulinemia involves a blood test in which the sample must be kept at normal body temperature, 98.6 F (37 C), for a period of time before being cooled. Inaccurate test results can occur if the blood sample isn’t handled properly.

What type of doctor treats cryoglobulinemia?

Your treatment team may include specialists in blood (hematologists), connective tissue and arthritis (rheumatologists), liver diseases (hepatologists), the nervous system (neurologists), the kidneys (nephrologists), and other areas as needed.

How common is Cryoglobulinemia?

Cryoglobulinemia is considered a rare disease. Cryoglobulins are reported in otherwise healthy people, so the actual prevalence of the disease is not known. Prevalence is estimated at approximately 1 per 100,000 worldwide. The disease appears to affect females more than males at a ratio of 3:1.

How do you diagnose Cryoglobulinemia?

How common is cryoglobulinemia?

Can cryoglobulinemia cause neuropathy?

Cryoglobulinemia is a frequent cause of peripheral neuropathy in undiagnosed referral patients.

What does vasculitis look like on legs?

Common vasculitis skin lesions are: red or purple dots (petechiae), usually most numerous on the legs. larger spots, about the size of the end of a finger (purpura), some of which look like large bruises. Less common vasculitis lesions are hives, an itchy lumpy rash and painful or tender lumps.

How do I treat cryoglobulinemia?

Severe cases may be treated by taking medication to reduce the body’s immune response (corticosteroids), by removing some of the blood and replacing it with fluid or donated blood (a process called plasmapheresis), or by specifically treating diseases that may cause cryoglobulinemia (such as hepatitis C).

What does cryoglobulinemia mean?

Cryoglobulinemia is a medical condition that is caused by proteins called cryoglobulins, which are present in the blood. Cryoglobulins are abnormal proteins that by definition have the unusual property of precipitating from the serum when it is chilled in the laboratory and then dissolves back into the serum upon rewarming.

What does cryoglobulin test for?

A cryoglobulins test is used to help detect the presence and relative quantity of cryoglobulins in the blood. It may be ordered along with other tests to help determine or rule out potential causes of cryoglobulinemia. The tests ordered depend on what condition or disease is suspected.

What is cryoglobulin blood test?

Cryoglobulins are abnormal blood proteins that precipitate and harden,when exposed to cold temperatures.