ANA titres

[MadMatilda]

Rheumatologist has said that as my ANA is only ever around 140 titre positive that it has no clinical significance. Can anyone explain titres?

[twist1]

Hi I looked it up on the Internet, as far as I can tell even tho its confusing. They use titres to express a value. They know when they did the tests that it showed you were ANA positive. They then dilute the reading to find out at what point it stops being toxic in your body when they have a reading they compare that to the values for lupus and see if on some predefined scale your qualify as being a lupus sufferer. Apparently it can be different for different illnesses. But in your case I think he is saying that your titres level for ANA is not high enough to diagnose you with lupus.

It's a common problem I have picked that up from here.

However some good news I read the other day that they believe they have identified certain genetic markers for lupus which will help them define better meds going forward but also help identify lupus sufferers better, although I have no idea of timescales but it was on the morning breakfast show. Think it was someone called prof. Tim vyse try googling it.

Hope this helps. I think I have understood correctly

[MadMatilda in reply to twist1]

Thank you so much for your answer. You understood it the same as me, so hopefully we are both understanding it correctly ! ! Best Wishes and many thanks. x

[Purpletop]

I don't understand what you're doctor means by 'no clinical significance'. Clinical significance for what? It is correct that a positive ANA, regardless of the titre, is not used as a measure of disease activity but it is used, together with symptoms, to diagnose autoimmune disease. Again, regardless of how low the titre is. My last blood test has shown an ANA of 1:80, so lower than yours. That didn't result in my rheumatologist stopping my treatment or changing my diagnosis. And many here have a negative ANA and are still diagnosed with lupus. Maybe I misunderstood the point here.

[MadMatilda]

Hi there, the Rhemy has thrown me off his clinic list as he says ANA results that are low can not be taken into account and as I've only ever had one positive blood test for Rheumatoid factor I can not have RA (although my mother is severely crippled with RA) . My GP, dermatologist, ortheopeadic consultants are arguing that I do have lupus and/or RA but the Rheumy has refused to see me again. He believes that any Rheumy who makes a diagnosis of Lupus without a high ANA titre has made a misdiagnosis. However, he is unable to explain why I need new knees/hips at 38 years old. He states that my antiphosolipid, raynauds and arthritis, malar and photosensetive rash and kidney function reduction do NOT point to Lupus UNLESS there is a very high ANA titre also. He then said there was no point in seeing me again as my GP could handle everything.

[megs_tom in reply to MadMatilda]

I advise getting a re-referal to a different rhuemie!! Have a look on the st.thomas website as they have a list of all the top rhuemies in the uk. That is how I found mine and my gp sent the re-referal letter to her for me. Best thing I did after nearly a year with a rhuemie who wouldn't so much as prescribe me a pain killer!xxx

[Purpletop in reply to MadMatilda]

I agree with megs-tom below, you need a new rheumatologist that has experience in lupus, this is crazy!!