Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Does My ANA Test Report Indicate?
Question: I recently had an ANA titer done and it was 1:80 which I am understanding is insignificant, does that mean my ANA isn't really positive? I have had a positive XXXXXXX Antibody the level was 8 normal 0-0.9, which according to the XXXXXXX XXXXXXX site is only in 1 % of healthy adults and the rest of the time signifies Lupus. My last CRP was 9.90 and my ANA pattern is speckled but if the ANA is insignificant does it matter what the pattern is? All of the other test were negative, the looked for mixed connective tissue disorder, RA , Lymes dx, Sjoren's, ect.... my urine test were normal, my chest x-ray was normal, if I do have Lupus it isdefinetly not affecting my internal organs. I have no face rash, the only symptoms I have are really swollen and painful joints in my hands that keep me awake at night and stiffening in my knee joint, I am very tired lately, but I exhausted from not sleeping well and depressed because I don't know what is happening to my body so that could be causing my fatigue. I am see an Internist right now and I have worked with her for many years I am very confident that she is being extremely thorough. The way medicine is now I got my results last night on the online portal, her nurse may get them Monday or Tuesday and then it may take her a day or two to review them, it's going to be a long weekend. my question is really just about the titer if it is that low does that me I do not have a positive ANA?
Brief Answer:
ANA interpretation
Detailed Answer:
Good evening
thank you for writing on health care magic
Well, to summarize your symptoms...It is mostly the joint pains which is bothering you...Swollen hands.knees with significant night pains and early morning stiffness. The fatigue can be a part of the inflammation going on. And dont be depressed. Whatever it is we will sort it out.. Stress makes these conditions worse.
As for ANA interpretation, the titres are still quite low. 1: 160 is significant. But yes the pattern does matter, as sometimes homogeneous ones you can let go, but with speckled you need to monitor it. A Lot of times it happens the disease evolves over time. It may be just positive now but once you check 3 months or 6 months later, it can become strongly positive. It is called disease in evolution. But since you have no other symptoms and the internal organs have been looked at, you can be reassured it is not affecting anything inside.
Having said that, The joint examination is the key. If you have swollen joints which are painful with early morning stiffness, we need to treat. You can have RF, Anti CCP and ANA all negative but active arthritis going on has to be treated. Only difference with ANA positivity, is just frequent monitoring of kidney functions and urine routine.
At this stage, I had label it as Seronegative Arthritis/UCTD...The management doesnt change to much, but yes if someone has examined your joints and is convinced you have Synovitis( Swollen + Tender) then we should start treatment.
I hope they have looked into your CPK and LDH levels...
Also if you could throw some light on, if you have any color change of fingers during winters/cold exposure, it would be helpful
I Hope the information was useful
Do let me know for more queries
Would sort it out for you
Regards
Dr Naval
ANA interpretation
Detailed Answer:
Good evening
thank you for writing on health care magic
Well, to summarize your symptoms...It is mostly the joint pains which is bothering you...Swollen hands.knees with significant night pains and early morning stiffness. The fatigue can be a part of the inflammation going on. And dont be depressed. Whatever it is we will sort it out.. Stress makes these conditions worse.
As for ANA interpretation, the titres are still quite low. 1: 160 is significant. But yes the pattern does matter, as sometimes homogeneous ones you can let go, but with speckled you need to monitor it. A Lot of times it happens the disease evolves over time. It may be just positive now but once you check 3 months or 6 months later, it can become strongly positive. It is called disease in evolution. But since you have no other symptoms and the internal organs have been looked at, you can be reassured it is not affecting anything inside.
Having said that, The joint examination is the key. If you have swollen joints which are painful with early morning stiffness, we need to treat. You can have RF, Anti CCP and ANA all negative but active arthritis going on has to be treated. Only difference with ANA positivity, is just frequent monitoring of kidney functions and urine routine.
At this stage, I had label it as Seronegative Arthritis/UCTD...The management doesnt change to much, but yes if someone has examined your joints and is convinced you have Synovitis( Swollen + Tender) then we should start treatment.
I hope they have looked into your CPK and LDH levels...
Also if you could throw some light on, if you have any color change of fingers during winters/cold exposure, it would be helpful
I Hope the information was useful
Do let me know for more queries
Would sort it out for you
Regards
Dr Naval
Note: For further information on diet changes to reduce allergy symptoms or to boost your immunity, Ask here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
