Raynauds Disease, Positive ANA, normal complement levels, I'm lost.

[MissSavvy]

Hello

I was just diagnosed with Raynauds and tested positive for elevated ANA titer. I don't know by how much because I was not given the results. My doctor emailed me and told me to get more blood drawn. All of my CBC bloodwork came back normal. Glucose, magnesium, sodium, all normal range. ESR perfect. Creatnine... perfect.

My complement levels came back normal. C4: 16mg/do and C3: 106mg/do.

My issue is, I get pain sporadically all over my body. Fingers and toes the most. They are sharp nerve like pain that goes on for days then eventually disappears. I also get left side pain which I associate with IBS and it will also go away.

I just don't know what any of this means. I don't think I have Lupus because I dont know if it comes with body aches like I have. And my blood work, except the ANA is coming back normal.

Any advice?

[Melba1]

Hello, with a positive ANA and pain in fingers and toes and reynauds, I’d ask your GP to refer you to a rheumatologist.

It can be all sorts of things and might be something small, temporary and/ or easily treated but best to find out.

Blood results can be quite normal but if your symptoms are bothering you, you need to go through them with someone who is an expert.

Good luck x

[MissSavvy in reply to Melba1]

Not a bad idea, thank you for the advice! I'll try to see a rheumatologist. I get numbness in my toes and pain/weakness in my hands mostly. I'll try to see what this is all about.

[lupette]

I would advise you to get your thyroid levels checked if you haven't already. Good luck!

[MissSavvy in reply to lupette]

I did get that tested and the results came back normal. So far, bloodwork wise, apart from ANA, I look okay! It's very confusing.

[miccika1]

Once you know what particular ANA is elevated, that will narrow down your diagnosis, lupus isn't the only autoimmune disease 😉

[MissSavvy in reply to miccika1]

That's true! I'm new to this and seeing all the various ones associated with an elevated ANA. I'll try asking to see. My doctor is very distant with results. So I feel like I don't know anything.

[Hidden]

Not everyone with autoimmune disease s has low compliments or raised ESR. I have Sjögren’s (normally low compliments too) and, although my ESR is very high, my compliments are always raised rather than low. Lupus, Sjögren’s, Vasculitis, even RA can begin with generalised joint pain and positive ANA. Definitely push for a rheumatology referral if you can.

[MissSavvy in reply to Hidden]

That's very good information to know. I feel alone with this and can't rely on google searches. Thank you! I will try for a rheumatologist appointment.

[Bebe76]

Did you have an ENA panel done? These tests will test for auto-antibodies which are present in various autoimmune diseases. Usually this is done after a postive ANA test if autoimmune disease is suspected. The anti-dsDNA test is more specific for lupus. You may need to be referred to a rheumatologist. ESR is a general inflammation marker and is not an indication of autoimmune disease, but it can be elevated in people with autoimmune disease. Not everyone gets elevated ESR, however.

[MissSavvy in reply to Bebe76]

My ESR wasn't elevated and I did get my anti-dsDNA done but I haven't received any results so I don't know the levels. My doctor emailed me that it looks like a possibility an autoimmune disease is developing(?) But I haven't heard back since. With hair loss and the pain, I'll try pushing for a rheumatologist referral. All my bloodwork is coming back great so far, so I'm not sure if this is just stress and all in my head.