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What Does A Positive Antinuclear Antibody Test Result Indicate?

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Posted on Sat, 24 Sep 2016
Twitter Sat, 24 Sep 2016 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 17 Oct 2016 Last reviewed on
Question : What does a positive abnormal antinucle are antibody test mean
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Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (13 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
this result is ambiguous...

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

positive ANA may mean an autoimmune disorder is present or it may be a false positive result. Low titers like 1:80 (as in your case) are usually false positives. The rest of the history is required to interpret such findings. If SLE is likely then this result can be considered suggestive of SLE. Much more data need to be evaluated to diagnose SLE though.

Regarding a general interpretation of the ANA pattern this report contains useful information. It actually contains the very answer to your question!

If you'd like to provide more clinical information about your case like your symptoms, why this tests were ordered, the rest of your medical history, etc, you'll help me to get a better idea of your current situation.

Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 3815 Questions

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What Does A Positive Antinuclear Antibody Test Result Indicate?

Brief Answer: this result is ambiguous... Detailed Answer: Hello, positive ANA may mean an autoimmune disorder is present or it may be a false positive result. Low titers like 1:80 (as in your case) are usually false positives. The rest of the history is required to interpret such findings. If SLE is likely then this result can be considered suggestive of SLE. Much more data need to be evaluated to diagnose SLE though. Regarding a general interpretation of the ANA pattern this report contains useful information. It actually contains the very answer to your question! If you'd like to provide more clinical information about your case like your symptoms, why this tests were ordered, the rest of your medical history, etc, you'll help me to get a better idea of your current situation. Kind Regards!