What does autoimmune Mean ?

If you’re in the beginning of figuring out what war path your body is on, you are probably hearing terms like autoimmune, ANA testing, inflammatory markers, blood work, imaging, specialist, nutrition.. etc.

Adding to the billion things you are trying to process and understand in the marathon of what the F is going on with my body race.

Terms aren’t explained they are stated and Drs move on. Blood work results read like calculus. Unless you’re a medical professional you have no idea what the heck it even means and doctors might not even go over results that are borderline low/high because it doesn’t make a “firm” diagnosis.

As I have learned in my many years of chronic illness chronicles it is important to understand the basics of what is going on when going through diagnosis paint ball.

Autoimmune what does it mean?

Autoimmune diseases are when your body has overactive immune system that attacks healthy parts of your body.

Now this is going to look different in every diagnosis. For example with lupus some have chronic kidney issues or heart issues. With Ehlers Danilo’s syndrome the joints and ligaments are primarily the cause of dislocations and hyper mobility.

Again these are basic definitions by no means am I a medical expert just someone trying to help cut through medical terminology to connect dots for simpler understanding.

Autoimmune is basically your body attacking healthy parts like it would an infection.

To get diagnosed with an autoimmune disease first a PCP or specialist would get a blood test called an ANA “antinuclear antibody” then would do more specialized testing for inflammation markers in your blood, rheumatoid factors and possibly look into your immune system itself.

Blood Work Results

After being a pincushion your test results are finally in.

I personally also pre read my results and search up the terms I don’t understand.

I highly suggest doing this just to get an understanding at what they are looking at and also detecting what numbers might be borderline so you can ASK the Dr about what this could mean.

WARNING! Do not take what the internet says as true hard facts. Always take it with a grain of salt and bring all concerns to your doctor!

Knowledge is power and having the knowledge can give you a better understanding on how best to support your self of this slip and slide ride of chronic illness.

Much love beautiful souls

XOXO