ANA 1:160 - is it an auto immune disease?

@helen1000 one of my kids had an ANA of 1:160 and it is not considered significant. Even my once very high ANA of 1:5120 didn't prove any particular disorder, or any disorder at all. But you have symptoms. Most rheumatologists are cautious about labeling disorders without the right combo of testing and symptoms.

I have very high antibodies for scleroderma (and a long time diagnosis of lupus). I don't have symptoms of scleroderma though so the doc is just seeing me twice a year. I think it will go to once/year. The very high antibodies aren't relevant until the disorder is clearly active.

My other daughter does have a lupus diagnosis: combo of blood tests, Raynaud's, mouth sores, joint pain, sun sensitivity etc. etc. She avoided rheumatology for years because she cannot take steroids or Plaquenil so what is the point? Well the point is to assess internal damage at least annually.

If you have an ANA of 1:160 with symptoms, you might benefit from a referral to pain management. That is what we pursue. PT's don't often understand inflammatory conditions so choose carefully if you go that route. I just do manual PT (massage). PRP has helped my daughter's joint issues.

Dear Windyshores,

Sorry to know that you have the diagnosis of lupus and your kid has the same diagnosis. It must be very frustrated at the beginning. I understand this feeling now. I was diagnosed as MAC lung infection two years ago. It is a long term respiratory disease and usually people get sick when they are in 60s or 70s. I am in my 40s and I feel very very frustrated about it. My doctor does not understand why I have it at this age so he wants to dig out whether I have any auto immune disease. I try to live with it and still keep positive. But I also feel frustrated because I have been trying my best to keep myself fit and spent a lot of time on health since young. But I still got MAC!

Thanks so much for your detailed reply. Yes your hit the point - symptoms count more. I have long-term fatigue since childhood. But I also have gluten intolerance so I believe part of the reason is from gluten I have been taking before I was aware of it. After I removed it from my diet, my fatigue is much less.

Other than that, I don't have any other symptoms. I was born premature so I guess my long term fatigue also from the premature new born related severe bacteria infection and the strong antibiotics I took before I was three year old. I am not from medical field, so I just self diagnose myself.

Yes I should follow up with a rheumatologist about that. Shall I see any other doctor with any specialty, you think?

Thanks and best wishes,

I've got the same result. Depends on your symptoms. Or any symptoms which may or may not develop later. Time will tell, one Dr told me. Any Dr will treat your symptoms only anyway.
And even the symptoms overlap a few autoimmune disorders or even a hormonal imbalance or changes.

Yes I have heard many people were diagnosed when they are in 60s or 70s.
My nephew have thyroid issues - but I don't know about my parents. As auto immune disease is family inherited, that makes me feel I probably have some as well. But my other test results are normal. Yes maybe a hormonal imbalance! Maybe a disorder I was not aware! Thanks for your input!

May I ask what is PT and what is PRP? Thanks!

Yes, I have had a high ANA since I was 36. I am now 74. It was tested because I did have symptoms. A lot of achiness, soreness all over and fatigue. It was first diagnosed as fibromyalgia although my doctor who practiced internal medicine thought that it might be some type of connective tissue disorder . It took many years for them to come up with my diagnosis of scleroderma and I think, at times, my ANA has gone up as high as 1:2400. They don't usually check it unless you are having some type of symptoms.

Once the ANA is positive there isn't much reason to check it again, I was told. I was also told that the severity of disease or flare does not correlate with the ANA value being high or low.

@helen1000 I looked up MAC- so sorry- and wonder if that means you have some sort of immune deficiency, since you are youngish.

A rheumatologist, pulmonologist, immunologist, infectious disease doc and maybe others are probably on your plate. Ugh- sympathies!

Thank you Windshore. Yes It is not in my life plan. 😉 I am not a strong person but I don't get sick too. I will just leave it be for a while I guess.

My pulmonologist says I don't have any auto immune disease. Another pulmonplogist says I can check ENA to follow up. Probably i just worked too hard without good self care. If there is nothing to treat, I will just maintain self care!

Hi Windyshores, my mother's co-worker has lupus and she is a very smart, cheerful and pretty girl. She works very hard and her personality is great. Life is not always fair and I think we have great flexibility to accept whatever fate brings us. No matter what, great nutrition and regular exercise, and less stress are the keys to ovecome disease. I wish you can rule out other factors that stimulate your immune system such as any food allergy or food intolerance. Even if that won't fully cure the disease, but always keep us at a better state.
All the best,
Helen

Low titers are not uncommon and they are usually benign.
Healthy lifestyle.
Mediterranean diet.
Sunscreen regularly.
Good sleep hygiene.
A good routine to avoid stress.
Regular exercise.
Vaccines as advised.
Good doctors and insured access to care.
If everyone could do these things there would be less disease and autoimmunity.