Antinuclear antibodies - help understanding the result

[Skittles11]

Hi

Can anyone help explain what the result below means? And how do you address a positive antinuclear antibody result when having IVF? - is it blood thinners or steroids or something else?

Antinuclear antibodies - Positive - Titre 1:80, Nuclear dots

Thank you xx

[XOXO13]

Hey,

Is this the first time you’ve tested positive for ANA with a titre of 1:80? I’ve tested positive for this test twice, but in order for it to be relevant I was told you need to test it three times twelve weeks out. Healthy individuals can also have a titre of 1:80 and it doesn’t necessarily mean they have an autoimmune issue. It’s only when the results are much higher and consistent that it then indicate an issue - or at least that’s how it was explained to me. However, I was also told that it can be linked to repeat miscarriage and failed implantation so it was worth exploring. This test was carried out originally by another doctor for something unrelated to my fertility, and he was the one who explained this to me and then passed the information to my fertility doctor at the time who didn’t really appreciate him telling me this as I think she didn’t feel it was relevant. Anyway, I think I was given blood thinners if I recall and this was before my third transfer.

Hope that helps. Hopefully your doctor can explain it better to you! Xx

[Pnw2020]

Hi. The test is not diagnostic of anything in itself but ANA can be positive with autoimmune/ Rheumatological conditions eg Lupus

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi Skittles. You can;t just go by one result. If you have a consistent high level, then often blood thinners and prednisolone are added to your list of medications. Good luck! Diane

[Eternalwarrior]

Hello lovely,I have been struggling with infertility, recurrent miscarriage and IVF since 2017(even lost a baby at nearly 18 weeks).

I have very high ANAs for many years but the first few fertility consultants I saw (I have seen quite a few!) didn't think it was relevant. I agree with XOXO13 in that my consultant told me that many healthy individuals have a titre of 1:80 an they never develop an autoimmune disease. They usually check whether your ANAs are raised just once or they are usually high and whether their levels fluctuate.

My ANA titre at the moment (I had a blood test last week, but the results change all the time for me, depending on whether I am having a flare-up) is 1:640 and the pattern is fine speckled. Apparently, different patterns (and it also depends on the titre) are usually linked to various autoimmune diseases.

My current fertility consultant and rheumatologist are convinced my infertility and miscarriages are due partly to me having raised ANAs. They also told me it can affect implantation. I am currently 26 weeks pregnant after my last transfer for which I was prescribed steroids and hydroxychloroquine for my ANAs and heparin and aspirin too.

Wishing you lots of luck xx