Symptoms & Signs
Symptoms vary depending on the type of cryoglobulinemia and the organs that are affected. In general, symptoms may include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Glomerulonephritis
- Joint pain
- Muscle pain
- Purpura
- Raynaud’s phenomenon
- Skin death
- Skin ulceration
Diagnosis & Tests
The doctor will perform a physical exam. There may be signs of liver and spleen swelling.
Tests for cryoglobulinemia include:
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Complement assay — numbers will be low
- Cryoglobulin test — may show presence of cryoglobulins
- Liver function tests — may be high
- Rheumatoid factor — positive in types II and III
- Skin biopsy
- Urinalysis — may show blood in the urine if the kidneys are affected
Other tests may include:
- Angiogram
- Chest x-ray
- ESR
- Hepatitis C test
- Nerve conduction tests, if the person has weakness in the arms or legs
- Protein electrophoresis – blood
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Cryoglobulinemia : Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
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Cryoglobulinemia : Symptoms & Signs, Diagnosis & Tests
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Cryoglobulinemia : Treatment
Review Date : 1/12/2009
Reviewed By : Todd Gersten, M.D., Hematology/Oncology, Palm Beach Cancer Institute, West Palm Beach, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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