Positive ENA screening test - Help I don't understand

[HedgeEnd]

I have just come back from an appointment with my GP who wanted to speak to me regarding my recent blood test. Unfortunately, I saw a different GP from usual who did not understand the results anymore than I did! She is going to write to the rheumatologist. So I have a positive ANA 1:320 (I have had a positive ANA for some years now). However, I now also have a positive ENA antibody screening test, but La, Ro, Sm, Jo-1, Scl 70 and RNP are all negative. I thought that those were the antibodies that were tested in the ENA panel and cannot understand how the ENA screening test can be positive but all the antibodies negative. Can anyone explain?????!!!!

[Hidden]

There are more antibodies in the ENA panel than the ones you’ve listed as negative. They tend to run the full gamut if you have rheumatic disease with +ANA. I can’t recall the various antibodies but anti-dsDNA, ANCA (some types of Vasculitis) anti CCP for RA etc all get tested for usually. Shame you got a GP who didn’t know but hopefully you will find out soon.

[HedgeEnd in reply to Hidden]

Thanks. It's all very confusing and I guess I will find out . . . eventually, but it all takes so long!

[panda2]

Hi HedgeEnd,

This path is pretty tense! And the waiting to get answers or an appointment from Rheumatology is so stressful. My GP knew nothing either. Twitchytoes is right that there are more (lots more) antibodies, some seem to be inside the ENA panel and some outside, like the anti-dsDNA.

I'm sure you're already on the research path. Here's a webpage that gives a few more and it may lead to further searches for you:

labtestsonline.org/tests/ex...

Educating myself is the best way to reduce the stress this can cause, hopefully it helps as you navigate through what's ahead.

All very best,

Panda

x

[HedgeEnd in reply to panda2]

Hi Panda

Thanks for your reply. I am trying to educate myself as the GPs are not the most helpful in the world! Thanks for your link.