Confused about ANA results

I just had a scary phone call from my GP l feel so anxious because he said my ANA is >1/1600 he didn't explain it to me but said he would refer me to a specialist

Help if you can put my mind at rest

[aimenkhattak27]

Ana stands for Anti-Nuclear Antibodies. its basically a test to check for antibodies that attack the nuclear of otherwise healthy cells. This is usually a test done when autoimmune activity is suspected but it is not a way of diagnosing an autoimmune disease because 10% of healthy individuals can have positive ANA and its not a specific test for any specific autoimmune diseases. Its usually used along with other blood tests to confirm a diagnosis of autoimmune diseases. It doesnt give the doctors any sense of how active a disease is so usually the test isnt repeated. I'd say not to worry until you see a specialist and get other blood test results. Have you had any symptoms? what made your doctor order the Ana test?

[Hidden in reply to aimenkhattak27]

Thank you for replying. I had a complete blood test at the same time and all other results are good. Just this one ANA was picked up. I'm so frightened at this moment in time. I just wanted to ask anyone else if they have experienced this.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

GP sent me for blood tests because my wrist was achy and l felt tired.

[aimenkhattak27 in reply to Hidden]

at the time i saw my gp for lupus related symptoms she suspected arthritis and did a full rheumatoid arthritis workup. all my blood results were normal except my ANA, however i had far more symptoms than you so i would be patient and wait to see the rheumatologist. 10% of healthy individuals can have positive Ana so take it with a grain of salt! I hope you find out whats going on though, it can get very frustrating at times so hang in there!

[Hidden in reply to aimenkhattak27]

Thank you very much. I will report back when lve been to specialist.

[Marzipan3468 in reply to aimenkhattak27]

hi, can I ask were you given a diagnosis or further investigation based on your positive ANA result? I have soooo many symptoms and had similar results to you it seems, and am waiting for a miracle?

[Spanielmadlady in reply to Hidden]

Hi.was your ANA 1:1600 or 1:160? This refers to the number of times your blood sample is diluted and still gives a positive result.it starts at 1:40 (neg) 1:80 (weak positive)1:160 1:320 1:640.its also has a pattern which is often associated with different AI illnesses.

Keep a symptoms diary and try not to stress too much while you wait x

[Hidden in reply to Spanielmadlady]

It was 1 /1600

[harmony2 in reply to Hidden]

Hi, yes, I think @spanielmadlady is right on a couple of points.

Mayo Clinic say:

The presence of antinuclear antibodies is a positive test result. But having a positive result doesn't mean you have a disease. Many people with no disease have positive ANA tests — particularly women older than 65. [There can be something going on but it isn't automatically so.]

As for the ration, I believe the second part of the ratio doubles so this was possibly a type-o somewhere that got repeated to you.

Either way, though, stress is a known factor in numerous medical diagnoses to exacerbate symptoms, flare ups, etc. so good job with reaching out to find some information.

Also, when we develop in our stress management skills (which includes getting support and additional information that helps you understand test results , this can be therapeutic for our well-being, body, mind and soul! It might be good to think about your stress management tools you use.

What brought you to the Lupus UK website in particular?

[Spanielmadlady in reply to Hidden]

It's just ive never heard or read it being so high .the highest I'm aware of is 1:640. as harmony2 says it doubles so it would be 1:1280 so could be a typo.mine was 1:320 homogeneous pattern and has come down to 1:80.there are others bloods such as DS-DNA, immunoglobulins and complements which will be done before a possible diagnosis.journey to diagnosis is long I'm afraid x

[KayHimm]

Do you have any symptoms? Do you know why he ran the ANA test?

Can understand your worry.

[Hidden in reply to KayHimm]

I had painful wrists and felt tired so GP sent for blood tests

[KayHimm in reply to Hidden]

I thought you must have had symptoms that made him want to rule out inflammatory illness. It is good you are going to the rheumatologist. These are very hard to interpret and must be seen in context.

Sounds like your doctor is on the ball and doing what is best for you.

Best of luck.

K

[Spanielmadlady in reply to Hidden]

There is an 11 point lupus criteria you need to have 4 out of the 11

[HighMaintenance]

It’s good that your GP is being proactive, many aren’t. Easy for me to say but please try not to worry too much nor Google too much either - you’ll convince yourself of all sorts. As others have said a positive ANA result can be an indicator of something inflammatory but it isn’t diagnostic. As I said it’s positive your GP is seeking further opinion - I’m guessing you’ll be seen by a rheumatologist. Please let us know how you get on x

[CecilyParsley]

Hi Hanmat, I would call your surgery and ask the practice secretary for a copy of your blood results. That way you can see for yourself what the lab has said. Often my GP has said my bloods were ok when in actual fact the lab has indicated otherwise. If all your blood tests are entirely normal other than this high ANA then at least you will be reassured. I agree with all that has been said here and although it is easier said than done, try not to worry. Your GP seems on the ball and when you get to see the Rheumatologist you will get more specific testing. Take care xx

[Mairafradellou]

Hi!There is no way your results are 1/1600.The possible titers are 1:40,1:80,1:160,1:320,1:640,1:1280 etc..And since your other bloodwork is good (blood count,creatinine,crp,esr,liver enzymes etc) and your symptoms are very mild I wouldn't worry.I'm sure that your result is 1/160.I have positive ANA at 1/160 and I too have a little fatigue and some minor joint pains that come and go.I am not taking any treatment yet but I see my rheumatologist twice a year.You should also get checked for hashimoto's thyroiditis with anti-TPO antibodies.So please don't be stressed.Everything is going to turn out fine!

[BonnyB in reply to Mairafradellou]

Hi, can I just ask if you've had lupus diagnosis please.

Was reading that you aren't in any medication yet and trying to understand how it all works.

Thank you

[BonnyB in reply to Mairafradellou]

Should also say that few years ago ANA was 1/80.

My symptoms have got much worse and recently had more bloods done. This time it is 1/160. What is classed as a positive ANA?

Thanks again.

[Mairafradellou in reply to BonnyB]

Hi there.Well I don't have a lupus diagnosis yet because I don't have 4 of the 11 criteria.Right now,I have UCTD that might develop to lupus in the future.So,it's a sit and wait approach.You must keep in mind that your symptoms are more important than your ANA result.If you feel tired and achy all the time you must discuss it with your doctor.In my case,although a ANA 1/160 is considered positive, I don't take any treatments because my symptoms are barely noticeable(at the moment).If I suddenly feel lousy I will have to start a treatment plan.Of course I have to do bloodwork very often to see what's going on internally(total blood count and renal function tests,urinalysis etc).I switched to a vegan diet and that really helped I think.I know how frustrating it can be not knowing what's going to happen next.Everyday is a struggle and I am only 27 y.o.Sending virtual hugs xxx

[BonnyB in reply to Mairafradellou]

Ah I see, many thanks.

I do have lots of symptoms on the list.

Thank you.

[Mairafradellou in reply to BonnyB]

Unfortunately,we will all need to take treatment sooner or later.It's a matter of time.But I try to be positive.A friend of mine is taking only plaquenil for 20 years to treat her lupus.She also tried to limit stress and she cut meat,diary and sugar off her diet.This gives me hope.While it is not scientifically proven that a diet can help,it doesn't hurt to try it.Take care xxx

[BonnyB in reply to Mairafradellou]

Ok thanks for this info. Much appreciated 😁

[Mairafradellou in reply to BonnyB]

Just a clarification..I wrote above that "she took plaquenil for 20 years".The reality is that she had symptoms for 20+ years (photosensitivity and some joint pains) but she wasn't diagnosed because her symptoms weren't very prominent.She got a diagnosis the last 10 years (lupus,rheum arhritis and hashimotos!) but she has it under control with a pill of plaquenil and levothyroxine for the thyroid issue.She thinks that her diet really helped!

[Hidden in reply to Mairafradellou]

My GP sent me my result and it definitely says ANA >1/1600

[Mairafradellou in reply to Hidden]

Well I still doubt that is not a typo.But if that number is true I have to tell you that these high titers(ex.1:1280) are often seen in patients with hashimoto's.It is really strange to have that titer with good bloodwork(other than ANA) and so mild symptoms.Of course,doctors always focus on the clinical condition of the patient and not on lab results.Someone can have a very low ANA and have a serious case of lupus and someone else can have a high ANA and have only fatigue and some rashes.Doctors treat patients,not lab results!

[MusicalFurbaby]

Hi Hidden, it is quite common to have very high numbers, but the numbers don’t necessarily correlate to severity of symptoms or disease. They have to be taken in context, that is, in light of your other blood test results. A positive ANA from a single blood test is not enough to diagnose you with anything; you have to have repeat bloods over a long period (months or years) and the ANA has to show up positive multiple times for it to actually be deemed positive, because false positives are possible. So please, please do not worry about one high number. It might be a false positive, or even if it’s a true positive, a high ANA in the absence of other symptoms or blood markers may not mean anything. You may not have any disease at all. In lupus, it’s all about the whole picture of symptoms, not just one blood test result.

Of course, the very best person to get to the bottom of all this is a rheumatologist or immunologist. So it’s very good that your GP has referred you. The specialist will probably run more blood tests and maybe some others such as urines and scans on your wrist, just to rule other things out. They may not be able to diagnose you yet; autoimmune things often develop over a long period of time, and diagnosis can take years, so many rheumies want to monitor you for a while before deciding what is actually going on.

All the best - please let us know how you get on!