Please explain Lupus blood tests and what they mean. What are the ANA'S/DNA'S for and the compliments, C1's etc?

[MandaM]

I have routine transplant bloods taken and occasionally request for a Lupus check alongside. My tests are always negative and in normal range. I was diagnosed with SLE in 2000.

[Paul_Howard Partner LUPUS UK]

Hi MandaM,

If you take a look at our factsheet 'The Symptoms and Diagnosis' it gives some details about what each of those tests means. It can be found here - lupusuk.org.uk/images/pdf/l...

I hope this helps.

[Thaddeus]

Hello MandaM

Basically ANA is anti-nuclear antibodies. Which to say anti-bodies made by your white blood cells which attack the nucleus of your own cells. Hence Auto-immune. The nucleus of the cells are of course where the DNA is found.

The first thing about the test is whether it is positive or negative, secondly how much ANA is present in the sample, and beyond that the exact make-up of the antibodies.

One popular test known as the FANA uses Forescent anti-bodies which are commercially produced, these will bind to your own and show up on test. Once a positive has been established, the concentration of serum is reduce and the lowest concentration at which a reaction is seen is given as the TITER and is expressed as a ratio eg 1;10, 1;20 etc down to 1;320 or more.

If you need more info, try about.com just put ANA test into a search engine.

or go to the site Paul has recommended.

[MandaM in reply to Thaddeus]

Wow Thaddeus thats an informative answer, thank you. Will write that one down for my renal doctor and ask if that test can be done at Brighton. What are the ratios you mention, what meaning do the numbers have, do you know?

I'd really like some more info on what i have or haven't got as as far as i'm aware for years my tests are normal. All i know is i was diagnosed with SLE and renal failure in 2000 by a renal consultant and that i get very painfull Scleritis in my eyes, either eye, if i get really stressed. That seems to sneak through my immune supressants of Tacrolimus and Mycophenalte for my transplant, grrrr!! Otherwise i'm not really that bad apart from bad skin allergies which drive me nuts.

MandaM

[lindabrown]

Our anti-nuclear antibody should be negative. It is positive in SLE, Rheumatoid arthritis and polymalgia rheumatica. This is the first blood test they will do to determine if you have Lupus.x

[MandaM]

Thanks Linda

I will check up on what my last results were and get repeats at my transplant opa. My results always normal but was diagnosed with SLE back in 2000. My results as far as i'm aware are always in normal range. My doctor colleagues at work are always surprised to hear i have Lupus, they say where's your butterfly rash and you look too well to have Lupus!

MandaM