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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Can Cause Low Blood Platelet Count And Elevated ANA Levels?

I have a question regarding immune thrombocytopenia. I went to the doctor for some heart palpitations and my doctor ordered a few blood tests and my platelet count was 50,000. I had never had a CBC done before, so I was really surprised. All follow up counts were low, so I went to a hematologist who ordered more tests, including an ANA which came back 1:1280 and speckled. I was sent to a rheumatologist, and all further lupus/autoimmune tests were negative. So my question is, what’s going on? Is my ANA high bc of the ITP? I have zero symptoms of lupus and the only other thing that was found in my labs was that I’m B12 deficient, slightly anemic, and my red cells are shaped/sized weirdly (ovalocytes and RDW 17%) Any idea what my deal is? I feel fine, and the plan so far is for me to just get a CBC every month to keep an eye on my platelet count- is there anything else that should be tested or ruled out?
Thu, 30 Aug 2018
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Internal Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
Hi,

Please, do not worry. When ANA test positive doctors do another specific test called anti-dsDNA test. This test is specific for systemic lupus erythematosus.

It is likely you do not have lupus if anti-dsDNA test came back negative. ANA test can be positive in healthy people as well or after using certain medicines or in infections.

Besides other autoimmune conditions; scleroderma, polymyositis and rheumatoid arthritis may also have positive ANA. Your low red blood cells and platelet is likely caused by low B12 level.

You should consult with your doctor to find out the cause of the B12 deficiency. Dietary B12 deficiency is very rare.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
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What Can Cause Low Blood Platelet Count And Elevated ANA Levels?

Hi, Please, do not worry. When ANA test positive doctors do another specific test called anti-dsDNA test. This test is specific for systemic lupus erythematosus. It is likely you do not have lupus if anti-dsDNA test came back negative. ANA test can be positive in healthy people as well or after using certain medicines or in infections. Besides other autoimmune conditions; scleroderma, polymyositis and rheumatoid arthritis may also have positive ANA. Your low red blood cells and platelet is likely caused by low B12 level. You should consult with your doctor to find out the cause of the B12 deficiency. Dietary B12 deficiency is very rare. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.