Dr. Angus Worthing
Internal Medicine
Washington, DC
20 years experience male
Locations
Office
Washington, DC
Phone
Practice website
Insurances accepted
Aetna Life Insurance Company
CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield
United HealthCare Insurance Company
Cigna
About
Bio
Private practice rheumatologist, voted a best doctor by Washingtonian Magazine. Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine (Rheumatology) at Georgetown University, active in national rheumatology issues through American College of Rheumatology.
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Internal Medicine
Languages spoken
English
Doctor Q&A
129 Answers
136 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Angus Worthinganswered
Internal Medicine 20 years experience
Depends: Ask your prescribing doctor about your case. In many people, however, it is perfectly ok to drink alcohol while taking humira (adalimumab). If you tak... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Angus Worthinganswered
Internal Medicine 20 years experience
No: These are not autoimmune diseases. Many doctors think chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia are a neurologic response to stress, accidents, or illness whic... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Angus Worthinganswered
Internal Medicine 20 years experience
Ask your doctor: Autoimmune diseases are some of many potential causes of fatigue, joint pain, rashes, fevers, and other symptoms. Your primary doctor is the best pers... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Angus Worthinganswered
Internal Medicine 20 years experience
Exercise, rest, meds: Most important is to gradually get into a regular exercise routine, also try to get enough sleep. Medicines are optional and help reduce pain from mod... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old male asked:
Dr. Angus Worthinganswered
Internal Medicine 20 years experience
Depends and yes: Gout can be dangerous by causing joint damage after repeated flares. High uric acid generally isn't dangerous though may lead to worsening of kidney p... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
1 comment
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Angus Worthinganswered
Internal Medicine 20 years experience
Cherry, h2o, vit c: Cherry juice helps the flares. Vitamin c and good old water (staying hydrated) help prevent flares. Ask your doctor about other treatment. A rheumatol... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Angus Worthinganswered
Internal Medicine 20 years experience
Autoimmune disease: The immune system causes inflammation in skin (often red cheeks after sun exposure), and/or joints, and sometimes organs like kidney, muscle, liver, b... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Angus Worthinganswered
Internal Medicine 20 years experience
If symptoms: The ANA is very helpful to screen for lupus and other autoimmune diseases but is not helpful for people without concerning symptoms. Ask your doctor i... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Angus Worthinganswered
Internal Medicine 20 years experience
Nonspecific: This could be many things, from normal to severe. Autoimmune causes could include raynaud's associated with lupus or arthritis (usually it's not), ner... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Angus Worthinganswered
Internal Medicine 20 years experience
Diet, exercise, ?med: Most gout can be prevented by lowering uric acid with diet (less meat, alcohol, fructose), weight loss, and medicines. If flares become too frequent f... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old member asked:
Dr. Angus Worthinganswered
Internal Medicine 20 years experience
Clot + blood test: Antiphospholipid syndrome is caused by a reaction between the immune system and a person's tissues which forms a blood clot in either an artery or vei... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Angus Worthinganswered
Internal Medicine 20 years experience
Other way around: Hyperuricemia causes gout. It is caused by change in production or excretion of urate. Body produces more urate from foods, diseases (psoriasis, cance... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Angus Worthinganswered
Internal Medicine 20 years experience
Exercise: Moving joints helps blood flow there and reduce pain. Exercise and weight loss help slow damage and reduce pain in oa of weight bearing joints and pre... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Angus Worthinganswered
Internal Medicine 20 years experience
Could be arthritis: The big toe is a common site of degenerative arthritis but could also be from sprain/strain, mechanical or alignment problems. Ask your doctor. Also, ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old member asked:
Dr. Angus Worthinganswered
Internal Medicine 20 years experience
Multiple ways: Two ways to diagnose gout: simply having a history and physical possibly with xray and blood test, or this plus a needle aspiration of fluid extracted... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Angus Worthinganswered
Internal Medicine 20 years experience
Meds, prevention: All people with systemic lupus should take Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) unless allergic. It helps control flares & prevent organ damage. Also nsaids... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old female asked:
Dr. Angus Worthinganswered
Internal Medicine 20 years experience
No swelling: Muscles may feel swollen but not appear to actually swell. The pain sometimes feels like weakness.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
Dr. Angus Worthinganswered
Internal Medicine 20 years experience
Likely not as good: Although a study last year showed chondroitin improved hand oa pain, it still isn't usually as effective as nsaids.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Angus Worthinganswered
Internal Medicine 20 years experience
Better prognosis: Same disease. Seronegative rheumatoid arthritis (where rheumatoid factor and anti-ccp antibody tests are negative) generally has a better prognosis wi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 26-year-old member asked:
Dr. Angus Worthinganswered
Internal Medicine 20 years experience
Is it sudden & red?: That's the right location for gout but it's usually red, swollen, warm and starts very suddenly (reaching maximum pain in hours) then resolves complet... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Angus Worthinganswered
Internal Medicine 20 years experience
Yes: Osteopenia or osteoporosis can cause vertebral compression fractures, which can be spontaneous. Also, trauma can cause these fractures.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old female asked:
Dr. Angus Worthinganswered
Internal Medicine 20 years experience
Get examined: This could be arthritis, bursitis or other knee issues which your doctor could diagnose with an exam and possibly testing. Meanwhile, ice and rest may... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Angus Worthinganswered
Internal Medicine 20 years experience
One kind: Gout is one of four kinds of arthritis. It is inflammation in a joint caused by crystals. Other kinds of arthritis include degenerative (osteoarthri... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Angus Worthinganswered
Internal Medicine 20 years experience
Trauma, infxn, gout: Most common cause is student's elbow, from the repetitive resting on one's elbow. Infections are also common especially if fever, redness or warmth ar... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Angus Worthinganswered
Internal Medicine 20 years experience
Prevention: Best way to prevent gout is to lower uric acid by diet or exercise, allopurinol, uloric, or other drugs. Best treatment for acute flares include ice, ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Angus Worthinganswered
Internal Medicine 20 years experience
Uloric or Krystexxa (pegloticase): Uloric works like Allopurinol and can be tolerated in many who are allergic to it. Krystexxa, (pegloticase) an infusion, is extremely helpful at first... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Angus Worthinganswered
Internal Medicine 20 years experience
Gout is 1 form : There are 4 kinds of arthritis: crystal diseases like gout, infections like lyme disease, rheumatoid arthritis and other immune problems, and degenera... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Angus Worthinganswered
Internal Medicine 20 years experience
Why?: Doubt about gout or indomethacin? The drug can cause side effects which generally aren't caused by other medicines(colchicine, prednisone) so you coul... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Angus Worthinganswered
Internal Medicine 20 years experience
4 kinds: Degeneration (osteoarthritis), autoimmune disease like rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, infections like lyme and parvovirus, and crystals... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Angus Worthinganswered
Internal Medicine 20 years experience
Probably not: This is a good question for your own doctor. In general, the short answer is: your arthritis may just get worse and worse without medicines. The longe... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 16-year-old member asked:
Dr. Angus Worthinganswered
Internal Medicine 20 years experience
Yes, but: Theoretically, a "reboot" of the immune system, ie a bone marrow transplant, could cure lupus, but this is risky enough that it is very rare. The best... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Angus Worthinganswered
Internal Medicine 20 years experience
Yes: A person with lupus, could donate any organ which is healthy enough to survive the transplant, and which that person could live without. Since lupus c... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 53-year-old member asked:
Dr. Angus Worthinganswered
Internal Medicine 20 years experience
Often, yet: Women with sle can become pregnant and have children, but pregnancy can cause sle flares. Outcomes are best when a women's lupus is well-controlled be... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 22-year-old member asked:
Dr. Angus Worthinganswered
Internal Medicine 20 years experience
It can be: Systemic lupus can cause life-threatening diseases (kidney failure or strokes) and can increase risks of death from heart attacks, infections, etc. Lu... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 30-year-old female asked:
Dr. Angus Worthinganswered
Internal Medicine 20 years experience
RA maybe; lupus no: Blood tests for RA are negative in up to 30 percent of cases. The screening blood test for lupus is negative only rarely.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Angus Worthinganswered
Internal Medicine 20 years experience
Close monitoring: Many sle patients have limited disease but do have recurrent flares, and medications can interact with diabetes (eg, Prednisone worsens it). To contin... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Angus Worthinganswered
Internal Medicine 20 years experience
Spine stiffness: Stiffness and pain in neck, back, and buttocks which worsens late at night and improves with activity. Symptoms start early in life, eg age 20 or 30, ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Angus Worthinganswered
Internal Medicine 20 years experience
Whole picture: Agree with dr. Rosenfeld about shoulder & hip pain. Also, age 50+, high sedimentation rate (blood test), and exquisite response to Prednisone are part... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
Dr. Angus Worthinganswered
Internal Medicine 20 years experience
No: Allopurinol shouldn't be started(or changed at all) during a gout flare. It should be started after a flare resolves.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Angus Worthinganswered
Internal Medicine 20 years experience
Common: By age 65, 40 percent of women will be in the osteopenic range and 10-20 percent will be in the osteoporotic range. Agree with dr. Yoder regarding cal... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 60-year-old member asked:
Dr. Angus Worthinganswered
Internal Medicine 20 years experience
Ask your doctor: Agree with dr. Laccheo. You have a complex case of ra. Less risky drugs may include non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, plaquenil, (hydroxychloroquine)... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Angus Worthinganswered
Internal Medicine 20 years experience
For pain? preventio?: If Colchicine doesn't control pain, may need to add anti-inflammatory (nsaid like indomethacin, or prednisone). To prevent flares, diet changes and me... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Angus Worthinganswered
Internal Medicine 20 years experience
Many possibilities: Ask the doctor who prescribes your enbrel (etanercept). It could be that if Enbrel (etanercept) was treating arthritis, it may no longer be working. A... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 57-year-old member asked:
Dr. Angus Worthinganswered
Internal Medicine 20 years experience
Get checked: Multiple possibilities here, including gout, pseudogout, infection as dr. Kopes-kerr suggested, or more rare inflammatory causes of arthritis. The bes... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Angus Worthinganswered
Internal Medicine 20 years experience
Lupus/scleroderma: Mixed connective tissue disease (mctd) is an autoimmune disease that usually has features of lupus and scleroderma. Many people have raynaud's (finger... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Angus Worthinganswered
Internal Medicine 20 years experience
Many possibilities: The description isn't enough to be conclusive but these symptoms could be from bursitis, arthritis, meniscus year, or sprain/strain. See your doctor f... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Angus Worthinganswered
Internal Medicine 20 years experience
Yes: All people with systemic lupus should take Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) unless allergic. It helps control flares & prevent organ damage. Also nsaids... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Angus Worthinganswered
Internal Medicine 20 years experience
Comfort!: Your sleep is important. Get a matress you are comfortable sleeping on. If you are sleep deprived, your pain may be magnified and your immune system c... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Angus Worthinganswered
Internal Medicine 20 years experience
Probably not: Aching after exercise can be a sign of many other problems like patellofemoral syndrome, chondromalacia patella, jumper's knee, bursitis and simple sp... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 18-year-old member asked:
Dr. Angus Worthinganswered
Internal Medicine 20 years experience
Possibly: Getting regular exercise is the best way to keep joints working well and back muscles in shape and pain-free. If swelling is present or back pain shoo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
3
Recommendations
479
Thank you notes
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Worthing is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Worthing is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Jan 16, 2012
Dr. WorthIng explaIned what others In my cIty could not.
HealthTap member
Thank you Dr. WorthIng. I have been dealIng wIth paIn for 6 months. My rIght arm has swelled to the poInt It was 3 Inches bIgger than my left. I have been through physIcal therapy and my arms are weak...Read More
HealthTap member
thank you so much, this helped. iI had been dx with fibro as well and the rhume did treat for ra on and off for a few months. might decide to go back to another onwe soon. thanks for clearing up my co...Read More
HealthTap member
thank you for answering my question. I have a rhuemo doc who I regularly see so I will ask her about that. thanks again!
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
University of Minnesota Medical School, MN
Graduated 2003MD
Awards
Alpha Omega Alpha medical honors society
HealthTap ClubMD
Affiliations
Arthritis & Rheumatism Accociates, PC
Publications
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions, provide medical advice, write prescriptions, and more.
Answer emailed
in 24 hours or less