Description

Cryoglobulinemia is a family of rare diseases, called vasculitis. Vasculitis causes irritation and swelling, called inflammation of the blood vessels.

Cryoglobulins are atypical proteins in the blood. For people who have cryoglobulinemia (kry-or-glob-u-lih-NEE-me-uh), these proteins can be grouped in body temperature below 98.6 F (37 ° C).

These groups can block the flow of blood. This can damage the skin, joints, nerves, and organs, mainly the kidneys and the liver.

Cryoglobulinemia care at the Mayo Clinic

Types of

There are three types of cryoglobulinemia.

  • Type 1. This type has a class of abnormal protein called monoclonal. Type 1 most often is linked to cancer of the blood.
  • Type 2. This has two types of abnormal protein, both monoclonal and polyclonal. Type II is often associated with hepatitis C virus.
  • Type 3. This has a mixture of polyclonal proteins. Type 3 is often associated with autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Symptoms

Some people have no symptoms of cryoglobulinemia. For people who have symptoms, the symptoms may appear and disappear. These may include:

  • The spots of the skin. The majority of people with cryoglobulinemia get purple spots on the skin, called lesions, on their legs. In Black or brown the skin, the spots can be black or brown. Some people also get open leg sores, called ulcers.
  • Pain in the joints. Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are common in cryoglobulinemia.
  • The peripheral neuropathy. Cryoglobulinemia may cause damage to the nerves in the tips of the fingers of the hands and feet. This causes numbness and other problems.

Causes

It is not clear what causes cryoglobulinemia. It has been linked to:

  • Infections. Hepatitis C is the most common infection linked to cryoglobulinemia. Others include hepatitis B, HIV, Epstein-Barr virus, toxoplasmosis, and malaria.
  • Certain types of cancer. Some types of blood cancer, such as multiple myeloma, Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, can cause cryoglobulinemia.
  • Autoimmune diseases. A disease in which the immune system attacks the healthy tissues by mistake, called autoimmune, increases the risk of getting cryoglobulinemia. Examples are lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjogren's syndrome.

Risk factors

Risk factors of cryoglobulinemia may include:

  • Sex. Cryoglobulinemia occurs more often in women than in men.
  • Age. The symptoms of cryoglobulinemia most often begin in the middle ages.
  • Other diseases. Cryoglobulinemia is associated with diseases such as hepatitis C, HIV, multiple myeloma, Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, lupus, and Sjogren's syndrome.

Complications

Cryoglobulinemia can affect the kidneys. The main symptoms are protein or blood in the urine. High blood pressure more often happens in kidney symptoms. At the time, the kidney failure may occur.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of cryoglobulinemia involves a blood test. The blood is maintained at body temperature, 98.6 F (37 ° C), during a period of time. Then it is cooled before being tested. The sample should be handled in this manner in order to obtain correct results.

Other blood and urine tests may also be used to find the underlying cause.

Treatment

The treatment depends on the cause of cryoglobulinemia and how bad it is. Watchful waiting may be an option if you have no symptoms. Treatment may include medications that calm the immune system or fight off viral infections. For severe symptoms, a treatment that swaps of blood plasma from donors of plasma, or another fluid may be used.

Even with treatment, cryoglobulinemia check back often. You may need regular follow-up visits with your healthcare professional to see his return.

Lifestyle and home remedies

If you have cryoglobulinemia, it is important to stay away from cold temperatures. Protect your fingers and toes. You may want to use gloves when using the freezer or in the fridge. Check your feet every day for sores. Cryoglobulinemia may make it more difficult for the foot injury to heal.

Preparing for your appointment

You can start by seeing your primary health care professional. Or you may be sent immediately to a specialist in disorders of the blood, called a hematologist.

Here are some tips to help you prepare for your appointment.

What you can do

When you make the appointment, ask if there is something that you need to do in advance, such as fasting before having tests. Make a list of:

  • Your symptoms, including any that seem unrelated to the reason of his appointment, and when they began.
  • Key personal information, including major stresses, recent life changes and family medical history.
  • All medications, vitamins or supplements that you are taking, including the dosage.
  • Questions to ask your care team.

Have a friend or family member, if possible, to help you remember what your healthcare team is saying.

For cryoglobulinemia, some basic questions to ask include:

  • What is likely causing my symptoms?
  • Other that the most likely cause, what are other possible causes of the symptoms?
  • What tests do I need?
  • Is my condition likely to disappear or to be of long duration?
  • What is the best course of action?
  • I have these other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
  • You should see a specialist?
  • Are there brochures or other printed pages can I have? What websites do you suggest?

Be sure to ask all the questions you have about your condition.

What to expect from your doctor

Your health care professional is likely to ask you questions, such as:

  • The symptoms been constant or come and go?
  • How bad are the symptoms?
  • What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
  • What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?

What you can do in the meantime

Do not do something that seems to make your symptoms worse.

Symptoms and treatment of Cryoglobulinemia.