Can having PA give a positive ANA blood test result OR can a positive ANA possibly be PA(if you have many of the symptoms too of course)?

[melodypond]

[Hidden]

Antibodies are Y-shaped proteins made by the immune system to help fight infections and invaders like bacteria and viruses. Unfortunately antinuclear antibodies often attack its own tissues, targeting the nucleus of each cell in the body.

The ANA test detects the presence of antinuclear antibodies in the blood. The presence of the antibodies indicates an autoimmune reaction. Sometimes healthy people will have positive ANA tests, specifically women older than age 65, but a positive test usually means something is wrong. A positive test usually indicates an autoimmune disease like rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma or lupus or an infection like mononucleosis. Sometimes blood-pressure medications and anti-seizure medications may cause the development of antinuclear antibodies.

Because the diseases mentioned above manifest themselves with similar symptoms, like join pain, fever and fatigue, the ANA test is necessary to eliminate some diseases. For example, low levels usually indicate rheumatoid arthritis, whereas high levels indicate lupus. Further testing will then be required. Follow-up blood testing will look for specific antinuclear antibodies that correspond to certain diseases.

People who are experiencing symptoms of arthritis, including acute pain and stiffness, should consider getting an ANA test. The results will help determine the cause and the appropriate treatment.

PA is determined by different blood tests, for it checks for the absence of the intrinsic factor, an enzyme produced in the stomach.

Further information can be obtained by researching the American Laboratories Society's website.

[BexyLS]

I don't know how true this and im talking from personal experience maybe someone can shed some light on it for me. I had an ANA test in 2010. A locum said "have you heard of lupus" I freaked and he back tracked saying people can carry and have no symptoms or the test result may not be right. I decided to ignore it (not good i know but i didn't want more stuff to worry about!) 2 years later i had a thyroid test. Off the scale my doc said. So i wonder if the ANA test picked that up? I haven't asked my doc about this and whether the two are related. A recent test shows my ANA as negative now and im on the thyroid meds and getting better.

I know this isn't your question exactly but its worth thinking about and thyroid sufferers tend to have low b12. but again im sure someone who knows more about thyroid issues can help out xx