Fetal Protein Level is a measurement in the blood of a pregnant woman which can show abnormalities in the fetus. Our son's wife showed a raised FPL during her first pregnancy. That baby was…Continue
Started this discussion. Last reply by Rebecca Beusse holman May 25, 2014.
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How wonderful to hear Piper is responding to Eculizumab! Don't be concerned about the lack of a gene marker, about half of aHUS people are also not specified. Diagnosis is still mainly made by doctors from symptoms as the genetic testing is too slow to decide if it is aHUS or not, sometimes, however, the testing may indicate a slightly different treatment. Thank you for sharing the good information, bless you and the rest of Piper's family.
It's good to welcome you here, I hope the information compiled here gives you some comfort, knowing there is so much information availabe now when just a few years ago this was a dark and lonely road. Now we have a lighted path and friends to help us.
It’s good to know that Piper’s mother is an RN, and it must be so difficult for her to wear the two hats of an aHUS parent and a medical professional. You mentioned treatment at the Children’s Hospital in Denver, and free to call Dr. Lum and Dr. Ford’s attention to our Home Page sidebar for a 'Doc to Doc Directory', where physicians can connect with other doctors experienced in treating aHUS patients (its free, aHUS docs worldwide volunteer their help to colleagues). Printing out that directory for as an option for professional medical consults might expand professional connections with aHUS expertise for your grandaughter’s care team. In the event Piper’s doctors have mentioned specialized genetic screening for aHUS, we’ve posted the links to the University of Iowa’s MORL facility in the Home Page ‘Links Box’. Our Foundation supports research efforts there, and Dr. Carla Nester and Dr. Pat Brophy volunteer in our Doc to Doc Directory (Dr. Brophy is also a member of this site, as well).
Since aHUS is a complex topic to discuss with family and friends, we have informational materials about atypical HUS online at http://atypicalhus.ning.com/page/ahus-brochure-3 with a 1 page flyer helpful for extended family, nursing staff, and friends. This summary of educational materials includes a detailed overview of this rare disease, our 'aHUS Bootcamp' which should prove helpful in understanding the medical terms (also online at http://atypicalhus.ning.com/page/a-parents-perspective-ahus). The aHUS Clinical Channel has video presentations that will inform on a variety of aHUS issues, too.
If her care team has mentioned the IV drug Soliris aka eculizumab (the only FDA approved treatment for aHUS), this site has Soliris information available at http://atypicalhus.ning.com/forum/topics/soliris-1 but Piper’s mother should definitely call 1-888-SOLIRIS for further information. Nothing can replace the info and medical advice offered by a patients’ own doctor/specialist/care team, so we strongly caution you that other patient’s experience may not be the proper medical treatment plan for your family’s situation. (Seek and ask questions regarding medical advice from your own doctors or care team members.)
Atypical HUS is a complex disease with a variety of manifestations, so perhaps you might also benefit from reviewing how aHUS can affect multiple organs in the body and not just the kidneys. (See http://atypicalhus.ning.com/forum/topics/ahus-complications-potential-impact-for-multiple-organs). I hope these resources provide a starting point for aHUS, and that our website is a source of support for you and your family. Feel free to post and to ask questions as you wish/need.