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Thriving with Arthritis and Autoimmune Diseases -with Dr. Diana Girnita cover art

Thriving with Arthritis and Autoimmune Diseases -with Dr. Diana Girnita

Thriving with Arthritis and Autoimmune Diseases -with Dr. Diana Girnita

Written by: Dr. Diana Girnita MD PhD
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Thriving with Arthritis and Autoimmune Diseases is an evidence-based podcast dedicated to helping people understand, manage, and live well with arthritis and autoimmune diseases. Hosted by Dr. Diana M. Girnita, MD, PhD, a double board-certified physician in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology with a PhD in Immunology, the podcast bridges modern rheumatology with lifestyle and integrative medicine.


The show covers a wide range of conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, lupus, Sjögren’s disease, gout, and other inflammatory and immune-mediated disorders. Each episode provides clear explanations of diagnosis, lab testing, imaging, medications, biologics, and emerging therapies—alongside practical strategies for nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress regulation, and chronic pain management.


Listeners hear conversations with experts in rheumatology, immunology, nutrition, physical therapy, and mind-body medicine, as well as real patient stories that highlight the challenges of diagnosis, flares, remission, and long-term disease management.


Dr. Girnita brings over 20 years of clinical and academic experience, including advanced postdoctoral training at Harvard University and the University of Pittsburgh. She is widely recognized for combining rigorous scientific medicine with a whole-person approach that treats not just disease activity, but the person living with the disease.


An educator with a global reach, Dr. Girnita has accumulated over 30 million views across YouTube and social media, where she delivers clear, science-based education on autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Medscape, and other major medical publications.

Thriving with Arthritis empowers patients to make informed decisions, navigate the healthcare system with confidence, reduce inflammation, prevent complications, and reclaim quality of life.


© 2026 Thriving with Arthritis and Autoimmune Diseases -with Dr. Diana Girnita Hygiene & Healthy Living Physical Illness & Disease
Episodes
  • 5 Five Hidden Signs of Autoimmune Disease Doctors Usually MISS

    5 Five Hidden Signs of Autoimmune Disease Doctors Usually MISS
    Jun 3 2026

    Most autoimmune diseases hide in plain sight — often dismissed as aging, stress, or minor aches. But what if you could spot the hidden signals before irreversible damage occurs?


    Dr. Diana Girnita, a board-certified rheumatologist, reveals five silent yet telling signs your immune system may be quietly attacking your body — in ways most people overlook or misinterpret.

    From fatigue that rest can't fix, to subtle joint stiffness, skin changes, persistent dry eyes, and the sudden color shifts in your fingers, these clues can help you catch autoimmune conditions early — saving years of suffering and unnecessary specialist visits.

    In this eye-opening episode, we break down the science behind inflammatory fatigue, how to distinguish inflammatory joint pain from aging, and recognize skin and hair changes that often go unnoticed.

    You’ll discover why persistent dry mouth or eyes could signal Sjogren’s disease, how to differentiate autoimmune symptoms from common ailments, and why a simple color change in your fingers might be an early warning sign of Raynaud’s phenomenon.

    Dr. Girnita, shares her expertise on the importance of recognizing patterns, especially in women aged 30 to 65, and emphasizes that catching these signs early can preserve your joint and organ health.

    This episode is essential listening for anyone experiencing unexplained fatigue, joint pain, skin issues, or color changes in their extremities — because early detection can mean the difference between lifelong damage and a chance to regain control.

    If you or someone you care about has been brushed off or misdiagnosed, these insights could change everything.
    With over four million Americans affected, autoimmune diseases are more common than you think — and they’re often misunderstood. Let Dr. Girnita guide you through the signs that matter most, so you can advocate for your health before it’s too late.


    Timestamps

    • 0:00 - Introduction to autoimmune signs
    • 0:46 - Sign 1: Fatigue that sleep doesn't fix
    • 2:36 - Sign 2: Morning joint stiffness
    • 4:37 - Sign 3: Skin and hair changes
    • 6:53 - Sign 4: Persistent dry eyes and mouth
    • 8:49 - Sign 5: Raynaud's phenomenon
    • 10:33 - Importance of recognizing patterns


    Support the show

    More info about Dr. Diana Girnita, MD PhD

    • Website: https://rheumatologistoncall.com/
    • Email: Contact@rheumatologistoncall.com
    • Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@rheumatologistoncall
    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-girnita-md-phd-07b57810/
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rheumatologistoncall/
    • Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RheumatologistOncall/
    • Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3685130571554200


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    12 mins
  • The Autoimmune Test Trap: What Doctors Aren’t Telling You

    The Autoimmune Test Trap: What Doctors Aren’t Telling You
    May 25 2026

    Most autoimmune testing is being used entirely backwards — leading to unnecessary anxiety, misdiagnoses, and wasted treatments. Dr. Diana Girnita exposes the six most overrated tests that do more harm than good when misused and teaches you the crucial questions every patient should ask before testing

    .Imagine relying on a single lab result to determine your health, only to realize it’s often misunderstood or completely irrelevant without clinical context.

    In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Girnita reveals how tests like the ANA, broad autoimmune panels, thyroid antibodies, and even gut microbiome analyses can mislead, especially when ordered without proper guidance.

    You’ll discover why a positive result isn’t always a sign of disease, and how some tests do more damage in the absence of symptoms than they do support diagnosis.We break down:

    • The true nature of the ANA test—it's a screening, not a diagnosis.
    • Why broad autoimmune panels often cause false alarms and unnecessary worry.
    • The pitfalls of misinterpreting inflammation markers like CRP and sed rate.
    • When thyroid antibodies truly matter—and when they don't.
    • The realities of gut microbiome testing and why it often leads to more food anxiety.
    • How genetic testing can create fear without clarification, and when it’s actually useful.

    An understanding of these misused tests isn’t just medical trivia—it’s a game-changer for how you approach autoimmune health. Many patients chase false leads because labs and practitioners overlook the importance of clinical context. But knowing what to ask, and when to question, empowers you to avoid years of unnecessary worry, treatments, and costly tests.If you're tired of feeling confused by conflicting results or overwhelmed by the complicated world of autoimmune testing, this episode is your essential guide

    . Whether you're battling symptoms, supporting a loved one, or simply want to be better prepared, you'll learn how to navigate testing smarter—and advocate for your health with confidence.

    Dr. Diana Girnita is a double-board certified rheumatologist who daily untangles the noise from the real signals—helping patients find clarity in complex autoimmune diagnoses. This episode will transform your understanding of lab tests, saving you time, stress, and unnecessary interventions. Tune in now and start seeing through the hype—your health depends on it.

    Support the show

    More info about Dr. Diana Girnita, MD PhD

    • Website: https://rheumatologistoncall.com/
    • Email: Contact@rheumatologistoncall.com
    • Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@rheumatologistoncall
    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-girnita-md-phd-07b57810/
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rheumatologistoncall/
    • Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RheumatologistOncall/
    • Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3685130571554200


    Show More Show Less
    14 mins
  • Positive ANA, No Diagnosis? A Rheumatologist Explains the 5 Real Causes — Including the COVID Connection Nobody Is Talking About

    Positive ANA, No Diagnosis? A Rheumatologist Explains the 5 Real Causes — Including the COVID Connection Nobody Is Talking About
    May 18 2026
    Got a positive ANA and no answers? Dr. Diana Girnita, double board-certified rheumatologist, explains exactly what it means, what causes it, and when to act.You just got a positive ANA test result. Your doctor referred you to a specialist. And now you are spiraling — searching online, terrified, completely alone with a number on a piece of paper that nobody properly explained to you.This episode is for you.Dr. Diana Girnita is a double board-certified rheumatologist, founder of Rheumatologist OnCall, and a physician who has guided thousands of patients through exactly this moment. In this episode she breaks down everything your doctor did not have time to explain — clearly, completely, and without the medical jargon.WHAT YOU WILL LEARN IN THIS EPISODEWhat the ANA test actually detects and why a positive result is a signal, not a sentence.What your titer number means — from 1 to 40 all the way to 1 to 320 — and the point at which it becomes clinically significant.The four ANA patterns — homogeneous, speckled, centromere, and nucleolar — and which autoimmune conditions each one points toward.The 5 real causes of a positive ANA: autoimmune diseases, chronic infections like EBV and Lyme disease, common medications including hydralazine and minocycline, certain cancers, and the cause that surprises almost every patient — being a completely healthy person.The exact red flag symptoms that mean you need to see a rheumatologist now, not in six months. Including morning stiffness lasting over an hour, a butterfly-shaped rash across the cheeks, Raynaud's phenomenon, dry eyes and dry mouth together, and symmetric joint swelling in both hands.The COVID-19 connection — why 30 to 60 percent of people who had COVID now test positive for ANA, when antibody levels peak and begin to decline, and when this becomes a genuine trigger for autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, lupus, and new-onset thyroid disease.The questions to bring to your next rheumatology appointment so you leave with real answers — not another referral.WHO THIS EPISODE IS FORThis episode is for anyone who has received a positive ANA result and has been dismissed, told to wait and see, or sent home without a clear explanation. It is for women navigating unexplained fatigue, joint pain, hair loss, and dry eyes who have been told their labs are normal. And it is for anyone who had COVID-19 and is now experiencing new symptoms they cannot explain.You are not imagining it. And you deserve a real answer.Timeline0:00 - 0:30: Introduction to the ANA test and common concerns.0:30 - 1:04: Overview of what a positive ANA test means.1:04 - 1:17: Explanation of the ANA test as a screening tool.1:17 - 1:55: Basics of antinuclear antibodies and how the test works.1:55 - 2:10: Understanding the test results: titer and pattern.2:10 - 2:24: Importance of titer levels and patterns.2:24 - 3:21: Detailed explanation of titer levels and their significance.3:21 - 4:16: Discussion on ANA patterns and their implications.4:16 - 4:41: Causes of a positive ANA result.4:41 - 5:38: Autoimmune diseases as a cause.5:38 - 6:04: Chronic infections as a cause.6:04 - 7:06: Medications that can cause a positive ANA.7:06 - 8:03: Cancer as a potential cause.8:03 - 9:10: Healthy individuals with a positive ANA.9:10 - 10:19: Symptoms that require immediate medical attention.10:19 - 11:41: Importance of early diagnosis and telehealth.11:41 - 12:37: COVID-19 and its impact on ANA results.12:37 - 14:28: Conclusion and call to action for comprehensive evaluation.Support the showMore info about Dr. Diana Girnita, MD PhDWebsite: https://rheumatologistoncall.com/Email: Contact@rheumatologistoncall.comYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@rheumatologistoncallLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-girnita-md-phd-07b57810/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rheumatologistoncall/Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RheumatologistOncall/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3685130571554200
    Show More Show Less
    15 mins
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