Ana positive results value

[Jeniedo]

Hi, I’m new here and have a few questions about my ANA results. I went to my doctor two days ago because it’s been about a month since I’ve had a sinus infection and my hands have been tingling at night along with joint pains. He did a physical and saw nothing of concern and sent me off to do some blood work. He initially did my blood work looking for rheumatoid arthritis but that factor was negative. My Ana came back positive. The nurse called and said that they would send off for the titers since he’s going to be looking towards Lupus. I got the results emailed to me and it says my Value is 40. Normal value should be less than 40. What does that mean? 1:40 ratio? I have to wait until Tuesday to hear back since that’s when the office reopens. Any info would be great.

[Hidden]

Hi there. I am afraid I can’t help with your ANA results but just to say that ANA isn’t specific to Lupus or any other disease. Some perfectly healthy people have positive ANA and RF titres - usually lower in range.

Also most Connective Tissue diseases present with a positive ANA for the majority of sufferers. You can have a positive ANA and negative Rheumatoid Factor but still have RA for example. There are more specific autoantibody tests for RA, Lupus and other diseases such as Sjögren’s and Scleroderma. This is called the ENA panel.

For what it’s worth I have Sjögren’s, but was initially misdiagnosed and treated for RA. I have a significantly positive ANA like most with Sjögren’s and some my first symptoms were tingling in my extremities, bilateral joint pain and sinus problems. If your GP thinks you may have Lupus or other autoimmunity then they need to refer you to a rheumatologist for further investigation. My advice would be to always ask for printed copies of these blood results if you can.

I do hope this helps a bit.

[Jeniedo in reply to Hidden]

Well I am on antibiotics for my sinus infection. It’s my first sinus infection in 28 years. It’s cleared up so far I’m not through with my course of antibiotics. I had an Ana done in 2015 and 2016 because I had horrible pregnancies and they wanted to see if it was an autoimmune. I maybe had them done probably 7 times as I was pregnant back to back and had extreme nausea both times. My md ordered this Ana test because I told him that at night now that it’s winter my hand hurts. It was also a physical. Now that the ANA came back positive he sent off for the titers which said 40. Im guessing 1:40 and speckled. It said normal titers are less than 40. Other than my one hand that I do sleep on tingling I feel fine. I’ll have to wait and see what he says I guess.

[Chanpreet_Walia LUPUS UK]

Hi Jeniedo,

Welcome to the LUPUS UK HealthUnlocked Community!

We offer a free information pack which contains informative literature on the symptoms and diagnosis of lupus. You can download or request this pack here: lupusuk.org.uk/request-info...

We are not medically qualified here therefore we cannot comment on what your results indicate. Were you able to speak to your doctor about your test results yesterday?

Although you have not had a diagnosis of lupus, around 90% to 95% of people with lupus will experience muscle and/or joint pain. We published an article on our blog about pain management which contains helpful tips and information that I hope you will find useful: lupusuk.org.uk/pain-managem...

Please keep us updated, wishing you all the best.

[Jeniedo in reply to Chanpreet_Walia]

Yes I did, he said my lab results so far isn’t indicative with someone of an on going AI disease or someone who has Lupus but to be on the safe side he would refer me to a rhematologist and still conduct more specific tests for other antibodies. Since it’s borderline positive , no family history and I have no symptoms it’s a wait and see game. Which , honestly sucks.