Question about blood work?

[airial95]

Our son is only 2 1/2, and as such, our Dr has not ordered any blood work for titers or anything else since our dx. He's been on abx for over 4 months with DRASTIC improvement, and our detailed symptom tracking has shown definitive spikes in symptoms at the time of strep exposure 4 times. Even with 2 neg. throat cultures - our Dr is convinced (as are we) of PANDAS.

 

He's not ordered blood work at this point b/c he says that at my son's age there is a very high liklihood of false results 50/50 at best - so if we have all of the other clinical evidence to point to PANDAS - the bloodwork may only confuse the issue. As he gets a bit older and if things stop improving (or heaven forbid get worse) we'll likely do the tests then. I can understand and appreciate that. I've also gotten the opinion that blood work for immunity isn't completely reliable at his age from a few other dr's and nurses (not that I don't trust my dr - I love him!)

 

My question is about the CamK test. My Dr has heard of it, but readily admits he doesn't know enough about it to know if it is reliable at this age or would have some of the same issues as the others.

 

Does anyone know?

[EAMom]

Our son is only 2 1/2, and as such, our Dr has not ordered any blood work for titers or anything else since our dx. He's been on abx for over 4 months with DRASTIC improvement, and our detailed symptom tracking has shown definitive spikes in symptoms at the time of strep exposure 4 times. Even with 2 neg. throat cultures - our Dr is convinced (as are we) of PANDAS.

 

He's not ordered blood work at this point b/c he says that at my son's age there is a very high liklihood of false results 50/50 at best - so if we have all of the other clinical evidence to point to PANDAS - the bloodwork may only confuse the issue. As he gets a bit older and if things stop improving (or heaven forbid get worse) we'll likely do the tests then. I can understand and appreciate that. I've also gotten the opinion that blood work for immunity isn't completely reliable at his age from a few other dr's and nurses (not that I don't trust my dr - I love him!)

 

My question is about the CamK test. My Dr has heard of it, but readily admits he doesn't know enough about it to know if it is reliable at this age or would have some of the same issues as the others.

 

Does anyone know?

 

Good question...you might contact Dr. Cunningham. I think SFMom has CaM tested her younger children?

[sf_mom]

I did have my 2 1/2 year olds tested.... but I'll admit I had to do a little pleading with them. Study cut off is 3 years of age. In my opinion it doesn't hurt to ask them to include your child.

[airial95]

Thanks!