What causes joint pain and anemia in a 22-year-old female?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am a 22-year-old female. My height is 5 feet 3 inches, and my weight is 97 lbs. I started experiencing pain in my joints a year ago. The pain continued and increased in intensity. Eight months ago, I was told that my blood was a bit low. I fractured my arm very easily seven months ago.

After that, the pain was a bit better since I was taking Dipirona. For my blood, I was given iron tablets, Folic acid, Vitamin C, and Multivitamins. Four months back, I was hospitalized for fever, joint pain, and anemia. I was diagnosed with anemia due to a deficiency of iron.

The joint pain continued and was later diagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis. My rheumatoid arthritis factor and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were high. I have swollen and inflamed joints and still have anemia. I was given therapy with ozone gas for 20 days and took Prednisone for roughly three months.

Now I am told that I do not have arthritis, and I am confused. My symptoms now include slight muscle or joint pain, anemia, swollen lymph nodes, low-grade fever (only for a few days, not more than three), fatigue, and sore throat at night. I have a raised spot that appears and disappears on my chest (not sure if this is important).

Leukogram reading was 5.1*10⁹, lymphocytes- 0.32, platelets- 0.67, eosinophils- 0.3*10⁹, MCV- 79.3, M CHC- 29.7, globulin- 5.3 g/dL, LDH- 649.7, hematocrit from 0.28 to 0.33.

I hope I was clear with my query.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand that you have been diagnosed with rheumatic arthritis through your blood and clinical parameters. You have been treated for anemia and an arm fracture. Your blood test results show elevated inflammatory markers. To diagnose rheumatic arthritis, we need to have several symptoms and signs.

We analyze based on ACR (American College of Rheumatology), EULAR (European League against Rheumatism) criteria- multiple joint pain, RA (rheumatoid arthritis) factor value, anti-CCP (cyclic citrullinated peptide) value, raised ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate), CRP (C-reactive protein), and symptom duration.

Studying your history, you can be classified as having rheumatic arthritis. Being diagnosed, you need not worry, as it is a treatable condition. It usually follows a waxing and waning course, meaning you can have acute symptoms for a week and a symptom-free period for a couple of months. It needs vigorous treatment if it is causing joint erosion. Kindly follow up with X-rays if I can be of help.

Thank you.