Diagnosis
Diagnosis of cryoglobulinemia involves a blood test. The blood is kept at body temperature, 98.6 F (37 C), for a time. Then it's cooled before being tested. The sample must be handled this way to get correct results.
Other blood and urine tests also might be used to find the underlying cause.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the cause of cryoglobulinemia and how bad it is. Watchful waiting might be a choice if you have no symptoms. Treatment may include medicines that calm the immune system or fight viral infections. For severe symptoms, a treatment that swaps blood plasma for donor plasma or another fluid might be used.
Even with treatment, cryoglobulinemia often returns. You might need regular follow-up visits with your health care professional to watch for its return.
Lifestyle and home remedies
If you have cryoglobulinemia, it's important to stay out of cold temperatures. Protect your fingers and toes. You may want to wear gloves when using the freezer or refrigerator. Check your feet daily for sores. Cryoglobulinemia can make it harder for foot damage to heal.
Preparing for your appointment
You may start by seeing your primary health care professional. Or you may be sent right away to a specialist in blood disorders, called a hematologist.
Here are some tips to help you get ready for your appointment.
What you can do
When you make the appointment, ask if there's anything you need to do in advance, such as fasting before having tests. Make a list of:
- Your symptoms, including any that seem not linked to the reason for your appointment, and when they began.
- Key personal information, including major stresses, recent life changes and family medical history.
- All medicines, vitamins or other supplements you take, including the doses.
- Questions to ask your care team.
Take a family member or friend along, if possible, to help you remember what your care team tells you.
For cryoglobulinemia, some basic questions to ask include:
- What's likely causing my symptoms?
- Other than the most likely cause, what are other possible causes for my symptoms?
- What tests do I need?
- Is my condition likely to go away or be long-lasting?
- What's the best course of action?
- I have these other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
- Should I see a specialist?
- Are there brochures or other printed pages I can 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 care professional is likely to ask you questions, such as:
- Have your symptoms been constant, or do they come and go?
- How bad are your symptoms?
- What, if anything, seems to make your symptoms better?
- What, if anything, seems to make your symptoms worse?
What you can do in the meantime
Do not do anything that seems to make your symptoms worse.