Hello everyone...let me say thank you in advance for reading this and offering your insight. I posted this in the Celiac forum, although I am not sure that it is Celiac related but I am certain it is dermatologic and would appreciate any help, especially if there are any telltale signs or symptoms that would help distinguish what I have going on.
I am going to nutshell my "known" health issues as I think they may provide some insight but are not exactly my question.
I am mid-40s F, I have had low vit D (around 10), low-normal b12 (lowest test was 212), and a low positive ANA.
I have had hair loss, which is why I was tested for the ANA and subsequently put on Plaquenil by my rheumotologist. No other autoimmune blood test (sjorgens, RA, gen inflammatory markers) has been positive or out of range. I have had my thyroid tested and my TSH fluctuates between 1.6 and 2 (mostly 1.8-2.0 -- only one reading at 1.6) and my FT4 is always 1.0 or 1.1, FT3, when tested is 2.7-3.0 and one RT3 was 17.
I have extreme fatigue, weight gain (can't lose), constipation, hair loss, aches/pains, can't think straight sometimes, exhaustion, sleep issues.
So for about the last 2 weeks I've had this red, ITCHY, kind of blistery rash on my fingers. I've had this several times before and it is immensely itch. It usually goes away after a few days/week. This time it seems to just hang around and it is more widespread -- more fingers, both hands. I also have this very itchy patch on one elbow that now looks crusty. I believe it may have started the same and after scratching now has a somewhat different appearance, but since I've had these before, I really didn't pay attention to it at first.
But both have been around longer than usual and possibly more widespread.
I went to my PCP who mentioned Herpes Whitlow, which I had considered after googling, but I do not have traditional genital herpes, nor have I ever had a cold sore. My DH does not have either too (almost 30 years together). I have some extended family that has an occasional cold sore that perhaps I could have touched a glass but seems like a long shot. Also, I have touched my mouth, eyes, etc., and it never spreads elsewhere (not smart in hindsight, but I didn't really think that it was anything so never considered it might be contagious).
Right now I have one elbow, but since I was a child I can remember both knees and both elbows going through this. It would come and go and drive me crazy for a few days and then it would resolve. The occurrence on the fingers has been about the last 10-15 years and happens a few times a year and because it usually resolves fairly quickly I have never given it much thought or been able to get in with a derm before it goes away.
My PCP did a celiac blood test that came back negative but said I should see the derm, which I am in a few days. I took pictures in case the rash is improved.
So my questions:
1. Could this be dematitis herpetiformis if the blood test for celiac is negative?
2. I don't really have any gastro symptoms and tend far more towards constipation
3. My upper abdomen is distended. I have 4 kids and so attributed to multiple pregnancies and weight. Not sure if that is a gastro symptom.
Bottom line is I am exhausted and any hope of finding a reason is so important to me, but always feel like I am grasping at straws.
Please share any thoughts. thank you.