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Does Positive ANA Mean That One Has SLE?
I have been diagnosed with SLE in October 2011. Since then, I am on a regular immunosuppressant medication with prednisone, HCQS, folitrax and folic acid. My ANA test and butterfly rash were considered as symptoms for the diagnosis. I did not have any complaint of joint or body pain. There were no other symptoms. But after having the prednisone, I was feeling more fatigued than usual.
I recently read in an article that a positive ANA does not mean that one has SLE, although the butterfly rash was indeed a symptom. I wondering whether there is even a faint chance that I might not actually be suffering from SLE. Also, the year before that is from February 2010 to February 2011, I was taking a year-long course for homeopathic medicine to improve my immunity against my allergy to cold and dust. I had chronic cough too, which got cured with the homeopathic treatment.
Please advise me appropriately.
I recently read in an article that a positive ANA does not mean that one has SLE, although the butterfly rash was indeed a symptom. I wondering whether there is even a faint chance that I might not actually be suffering from SLE. Also, the year before that is from February 2010 to February 2011, I was taking a year-long course for homeopathic medicine to improve my immunity against my allergy to cold and dust. I had chronic cough too, which got cured with the homeopathic treatment.
Please advise me appropriately.
posted on
Fri, 14 Mar 2014
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 10 Jul 2014
Answered on
Thu, 10 Jul 2014
Last reviewed on
Most of the time it is SLE. However it might be other autoimmune disorder in few cases. But butterfly rash is the symptom of SLE. There are many symptoms required for diagnisis. Total 4 out of 11 criteria is needed tk diagnosed as SLE. Malar rash, butterfly rash, photosensitivity, hematologicak, neurologicak, renal, autoimmune etc are the criteria. If you have doubt then go for anti ds dna and anti sm antibodies or immunofluorescence test.
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