Another test result just came through from the 22nd....

[Peppermints]

Hey everyone.

Just had another test result xome through. Has anyone on here had a positive anti nuclear factor test (with a speckled pattern) and if so what were your results and outcomes?

[Bluebell999]

I had a lot of autoimmune tests including a positive speckled ANA at St Thomas' in London about 21 years or so ago. . This test amongst many confirmed my lupus diagnosis, Sjogrens, and Raynauds Syndrome. Autoimmune hepatitis was diagnosed about three years later, just after Hashimotos.

This does not mean you have any or all of these conditions, you will be observed and have more blood tests. ANA has a Titer scale, the higher the Titer the more likely there is something going on with your immune system.

A speckled pattern can also indicate UCTD, or undiagnosed connective tissue disease, which sometimes means a wait until a specific condition shows itself more strongly, if it ever does.

My Hashis was diagnosed by my rheumy when I felt very unwell after a total knee replacement. I would sleep a lot, have no energy or interest in doing anything, fuzzy brain etc. After my Hashis was confirmed I spent two weeks in a hospital on bed rest whilst the levo and my blood results were monitored carefully. I was extremely hypothyroid and it didn't take many months to reach my 150mcg and I felt the difference very quickly.

Rarely, you could have a positive ANA without any disease but if you are feeling unwell it is usually symptomatic of something. No good worrying though until you hear it from the rheumy himself.

Ironically, I am now stable with my autoimmune conditions, largely due to steroids, (prednisolone) but my thyroid is playing silly beggars and deciding to give me hyperthyroid blood results.

Often thyroid problems, lupus and antiphosphilipid syndrome, (i have that one too!) come as a trio. I advise you also to look on the Lupus UK forum where you will get more information on other autoimmune conditions.