Please advise

[Saranda]

Hi guys I just received my blood test ANA and ds- DNA. Last month ANA was 222 and now it is 184; ds- DNA was 12 and now it is 39. I will not be abel to reach my doctor till Monday . Do you guys know what does this mean. I am really worried. If you guys know what this means please let me know. It will halp me alot. Hugs to everyone

[whisperit]

Hello Saranda

ANA tests measure how much antibody against your own nuclear proteins is being produced. This is taken to be some indication of how active your disease process is. The test is normally measured in terms of how far the sample needs to be diluted before it stops showing a positive result. So the result is usually in the form of a ratio, such as 1:24 or 1:1260. The larger the number, the more ANA antibodies you are producing (in other words, 1:24 would be a small amount and 1:1260 would be a larger amount). The ANA can change depending on how active the disease is, and on how well controlled by any treatment.

ds-DNA antibodies are just one type of auto-antibody, generally thought to be specific to lupus/SLE. Again, the higher the number, the more active the disease.

Your result print-out should include some indication of what counts as normal, positive or negative under the test that your particular laboratory uses. It may also flag up a concern. Its really only when you've understood that, and taken into consideration all your other symptoms and history that these numbers will make sense. For what its worth, it looks as if your ANA has gone down a bit and your ds-DNA may have gone up a bit - but only your clinician can really interpret this in a meaningful way x

[eekt in reply to whisperit]

The tests are usually repeated a few months apart for monitoring disease activity, but since you were diagnosed with SLE last month, maybe they are for deciding your treatment plan?

Blood tests are just PART of the monitoring, as WhisperIt says your Rheumy will look at all your manifestations before deciding on medication.

My dsDNA doubled but in the absence of new symptoms, no change in meds was needed and it's back down to where it was.

It's cruel to have the test results without a doctor to explain them, especially when you have to wait to see one. Focus on writing a list of all the things you want to know from your doctor. He/she should really have explained what to expect after the first positive tests. Be well, stay strong 💪 xxx

[Lili18]

Hi there. Im in the same situation. My ANA slightly decreased and ds-DNA doubled. The doctor told me to do Anti SSA, anti SSB,anti Sm, antiRNP, anti Cardiolipin tests. Am going crazy. The unknowing is the worst. I dont know what to think anymore. Does this mean that my lupus is not mild anymore?

[eekt in reply to Lili18]

Hi! These antibody tests will confirm the SLE diagnosis and/or rule out overlap auto-immune illness. Other folks here are Pros in blood tests - worth starting a new post to get a full explanation of each!

Seems like your Rheumy is being very thorough.

The SLE categories - mild etc - are assessed by looking at all the manifestations you have (sledai-2k.com/sledai2k.pdf). The only antibody test included in that assessment is the anti-dsDNA.

Have you another appt with your Rheumy lined up? If only she/he had explained these tests to you... Avoid stress, be well xxx

[Saranda in reply to eekt]

Thank you all, as always you guys are a great help

[Lili18]

Hi eekt

Thanks for your reply. You’re right, pros and also and you’ve kept your sense of humor, you’re dealing with this. I guess I’m still in denial. I keep waking up thinking it was all a dream and then I’m hit with reality again. Anyways, I’m trying not to ruin everyone else’s mood. Question. I’m not a native speaker of English. When you say confirm SLE diagnosis and/or rule out overlap autoimmune illness, shouldn’t my dr have asked for these test prior to diagnosing me or do you mean these tests are to see if i have any of the other sister diseases? Which would be quite something. Im too scared to see the link you put, what if my disease is not mild anymore? I don’t know. Im to do these tests tomorrow and then see my doctor once I get the results, i don’t even know how long the results will take. it’s horrible. Escape stress and emotion - for me seems impossible, Im one the most emotional people ever. And i don’t know how to change. Sorry for all this. I just cant stop. Im so scared