ANA test

[Crogers]

Do you all have positive ANA's?

[merrohawk83]

Weak positive - speckled pattern.

[Lure2]

Very weak. I took it in 2011 last time I think. I ask to take the test again this year.

Kerstin in Stockholm

[APSmum]

No ANA tests to date have all been negative

[bassetpup]

Mine is positive 1:640 homogenous pattern.

[Lure2]

Thanks APsnotFab!

Very useful info. I did not know this.

Kerstin

[Crogers]

Mine came back 1:40 with a nucleolar pattern. I'm very scared now. My Rhumy said it's trace and would not recommend anything further but I have researched nucleolar patterns and there are only two things that come up Scleroderma and Polymyositis. So scared!

[Rosemary76210 in reply to Crogers]

My new rheumatologist was not concerned even though mine was quite high. She looks at physical symptoms and said the number was meaningless. Don't be afraid, God does not give us anything that we can't handle with His help.

[Crogers]

Also my IGM anticardiolipin antibodies are now 78.1. I just don't know what is going on with my body

[bassetpup in reply to Crogers]

I agree with others that it doesn't necessarily mean anything on its own. My rheumatologist wasn't very concerned about my positive ANA but was more focused on my symptoms. She said about 15% of the population have positive ANA but don't have any disease associated with it.

The only good thing for me was because the first thing they tested was the ANA it acted as a sort of red flag to tell them to do more specific tests.

[Lure2]

Hi Crogers,

Do not be afraid! Antibodies go up and down. I believe they are not so important.

The most important thing for you is to get a Specialist who understands you and knows what to look for. A doctor who understands that you need anticoagulation perhaps if you have APS as you probably have with that IgM antibodies and your symptoms.

Take it easy and get a Doctor who knows about this illness!

Kerstin in Stockholm

[mburns1401]

Just to add to the data points, mine was positive, but "speckled." Really. Who knows what that means? We're still in uncharted territory, folks. The chief of hematology at a leading university in California told me that he thinks when the research is said and done that what we know as Hughes/APS will turn out to be 4-6 related, but distinct diseases. Makes sense to me given how some of us have this and some have that. Until then, we support one another and move on with our lives.

[Ozchick]

I always get a strong positive 1:1280 or 6 months ago 1:2560- with both speckled and homogeneous pattern. Has been as low as 1:640 but varies enormously and doesn't necessarily tie in with how I feel. Other than a really mild dry mouth and eyes (but not testing + for Sjogrens) I feel OK. Probably have some sort of CTD and Raynauds. Summer is coming on and I always feel better in the warmer weather.

[Hopingforababy]

My ANA is always negative.

[Lure2 in reply to Hopingforababy]

Hi hopingforababy,

When we read that great info that APsnotFab gave us above, you are thus not likely to have SLE as you are always negative.

That is if I have understood the info correctly, as I am from Sweden.

Best wishes to you from Kerstin

[Hopingforababy]

Thank you. I don't have lupus. I have positive Lupus Anticoagulant only. I thought the initial asked if anyone had positive ANA so was just responding.

[Lure2 in reply to Hopingforababy]

I quite understand. I am also Lupus Anticoagulant. I wanted to respond as we learn so much from others on here. I learnt from APsnotFabs info about ANA. I also learnt that it can be woth testing later on even if the test is negative.

Kerstin

[MaryF Administrator]

Yes I have had positive ANA's also showing speckled pattern. MaryF