For those with diagnosed Lupus, what was your ANA test result?

[mmeeeeeelllllll]

I know different labs create different results, but I received a result of 1:640 homogenous. I havent been to a rhemmy yet, but I guess I want to see what my chances are like, try and be realistic.

Thanks.

[Chapter]

My first Rheumi told me: 1:20 is nothing, 1:40 is a very small beep, 1:80 is noticed, 1:160 is a follow up in 6 months, 1:320 is something is going on, 1:640 is yup something is going on - she said after that the numbers don't matter so much as they are already watching symptoms now. If you can put the numbers with obvious symptoms at the time of visits with Rheumi it is much easier to be noticed. My ANA has been >1:1280 with no rash and only flu like symptoms, but I was first seen with an awful rash, sore muscles, fatigue, headaches and ANA 1:320 and was started on treatment right away. Still have not been told personally that I for sure have Lupus but still being treated and my GP's info from Rheumi says Yes.

[Hidden in reply to Chapter]

I too have seen a rheumI, my ana was at first 1:48, then 1:80, now it's 1:320, I have a rash, joint pain, muscle pain, extreme fatigue, swelling in joints. I was a nurse, and had very lucrative job, which I had to retire due to the pain. I kept asking my rheumatologists if it could be lupus, he said no, although he prescribed methotrexate? Figure that one out. It was my cardiologists that saw the labs and told me it was indicative of lupus. At that point he fired off a letter to my rheumatologist. I'm slowly losing faith in Medical doctors.

[Natura]

mine was 1:80 nucleolar..what does noticed mean? How often should this be tested? I did not know that it changed. I am trying to deal without medicine. My ANA screen, IFA says positive in out of range. Reference range - negative. I don't know how to read this stuff. And Less 1:40 Titer. Any help on this?

[Chapter in reply to Natura]

Positive means 1:20 and up but a lot of healthy people get 1:20 or 1:40, even higher. If you go to doctor with complaints and have physical symptoms then a 1:80 means could be something but let's just wait and see. No symptoms and they would do nothing, but then you question why the test in the first place. ANA can go up and down. Some people have been diagnosed with a negative ANA, but are very sick. Noticed means they say "Oh yeah, positive, hmmm." like that, Natura. I had been going to my GP for 3 months feeling ill and a rash that was trashing my face, after almost passing out on street I took myself to Emerg and a doc there tested me for everything he could think of. When I went to my doc for results she was very calmly going through them saying yup, yup at normal results and then she said, "just a minute what's this, a positive ANA, kind of high too, (320) let's look at this". I had no idea what she was talking about, soon found out what a Rheumi was and started treatment.

ANA is either negative or positive, and then there are different levels of positive. You can have a high ANA but without symptoms there is nothing to treat, because +ANA is not just Lupus. Wow, I am exhausted now, lol. Have a good day.

[Natura in reply to Chapter]

thanks Chapter... I do have some symptoms. Hip joint pain, itchy, dry skin occasionally, ear pain from inflammation, tiredness, shoulder and upper back pain, trouble with deep breathing, chest pressure. These are on and off. I have scarred kidneys from constant UTIs my whole life. I was very dizzy but better with digestive enzymes. I think I was clotting with a migraine for 3 days, and my two brothers are on anti coagulant medicine for clotting. I take a Nattokinase enzyme to keep my blood normal and not sticky. I just don't want to do medication, so I cancelled my rheumy appt. I am doing ok with anti inflammatory teas, food, enzymes, vitamins and exercise. I asked my GP if I was low end, is it likely I will stay low end or will it change? And I do realize the tests change depending on whether you have symptoms or not. My brother goes every 6 months to test and see what's happening. I wonder why the symptoms come and go. I find that very interesting. I am not working and keeping my stress as low as possible, though my daughters refusal to do her homework stresses me terribly. Failed 3 classes one semester because not doing homework. Uggh!

I hope that I will stay low end, as I already get nervous when I don't feel well. My energy levels are much better too with the digestive enzyme saving me energy with aiding in digestion. A miracle to me. But, I feel good today. A little low in energy, but went for an easier bike ride. Never know what tomorrow will bring. I am concerned about water retention whenever I get back from a 3-4 mile hike. I guess my kidney gets stressed from exercise. Don't know why. Thanks for your help...

[Whathappned]

Hi

My original was 1:320, seems I'm evolving in to either SLE and or mysositis because I am now on medication. I had a borderline DNA and from what I gather its going up as well as my ck. so I guess it's as Chapter says I was a something is going on. Xxx

[dgleds in reply to Whathappned]

hey whathappened,

They have me on meds too..,just plaquinil ...How can other things start showing, when plaquinil is a disease modifier? Isnt it like the plaquinil or hydroxy would stomp out symptoms? My ANA is totally normal now, but was 1:320 with all the trimmings..lol....and inflammation too (its also real low now). That's the only tests that were positive for me....However got one thing bandaged up, now my thyroid is having fun again....

Oh Rhumey didn't give me a chance to evolve into a disease, he called it lupus, and wrote prescripts for steroids and plaquinil right away..Cough cough, he can take the steroids and___..i wont take them unless im really bad in hospital...I had a bit of a hearing loss with all this year before..i got steroids then...nope..no thanks.

[mmeeeeeelllllll]

Thanks very much for your replies. I only have a few symptoms of fatigue, feeling sligtly sick sll the time and joint pains, which could be anything,just wait and see. Thanks again for responding.

[dgleds]

it was 1:320 homogenous and finely speckled, as I recall