1. < Autoimmune Diseases

Persistent Positive ANA, Now DFS70 – Does This Indicate Recovery?

Posted by hamzaw @hamzaw, 1 day ago

I'm looking for insights from anyone with similar experiences regarding my autoimmune markers and test results over the past couple of years. Despite a consistently positive ANA, other autoimmune markers have remained negative. Here's a chronological summary of my test history:

Autoimmune Markers & Related Tests (2023–2025)
September 2023
Anti-CCP (Rheumatoid Arthritis Marker): 2.1 u/mL (Normal < 5 u/mL) → Negative

Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA): Positive, Homogeneous pattern, Titer 1:5120

Suggestive of conditions like SLE, drug-induced lupus, etc.

February 2024
Anti-CCP: 0.64 u/mL (Normal < 5 u/mL) → Negative

ANA: Positive, Dense Fine Speckled (DFS) pattern, Titer 1:2560

Anti-dsDNA: 3.4 IU/mL (Negative < 20)

Rheumatoid Factor (RF): < 14 IU/mL (Negative)

CRP: 0.5 mg/L (Normal)

June 2024
ANA: Positive, Homogeneous pattern, Titer 1:1280

Other Autoimmune Markers:

Serum Anti-dsDNA (Quantitative): 3.4 IU/mL → Negative

Serum Anti-Tissue Transglutaminase IgG: < 0.5 → Negative

Serum Anti-Tissue Transglutaminase IgA: -2.3 → Negative

Serum IgE: 528 (High)

Serum IgA: 2.77 (Normal)

Serum IgG: 15.1 (Normal)

Serum IgM: 1.0 (Normal)

Serum Anti-Cardiolipin IgG: 0.5 Negative

Serum Anti-Cardiolipin IgM: -0.7. Negative

Serum Beta-2 Glycoprotein IgG: Negative

Serum Beta-2 Glycoprotein IgM: -2.1

Serum ANCA (Anti-PR3, Anti-MPO): < 2 → Negative

IDA/IDD/ENA/IgG Test: Negative for antibodies related to autoimmune liver disease, Sharp syndrome, systemic lupus, Sjogren's syndrome, CREST syndrome, systemic sclerosis, and myositis.

Serum Complement C3: Negative

Serum Complement C4: Negative

Lupus Anticoagulant L1 Screening: Negative

ESR: 12 mm/hr (Normal < 20 mm/hr)

September 2024
ANA: Positive, Speckled pattern, Titer 1:640

Anti-dsDNA: Negative (qualitative test by Crithidia luciliae)

November 2024
ANA: Positive, DFS (Diffuse Fine Speckled) pattern, Titer 1:320

January 2025
ANA: Positive, DFS70 (AC-2) pattern, Titer 1:320

ESR: 1 mm/hr (Normal < 20 mm/hr)

Overall Summary & Questions
Over the past few months, my symptoms of vasculitis and joint pain have dramatically improved as my ANA titres have been decreasing. I feel significantly better now, though I still have some mild symptoms(vasculitis on arms and legs). However, I'm particularly curious about the DFS70 pattern that has emerged in my most recent tests.

Given that my ESR is very low and my ANA is now showing the DFS70 pattern at a lower titre, what does this really mean in my case? Could this indicate a shift in my condition, or is it possible that this pattern reflects a more benign scenario?

I would love to hear from anyone with similar experiences or insights on the DFS70 pattern in this context.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Autoimmune Diseases Support Group.

sharon44r | @sharon44r | 1 day ago

My antinuclear are similar. I heard some indicate autipoimu e disease you might have had or still have.
What are you being treated for? I got PMR and have been on low dose of prednisone for almost 3 years. I also have other autoimmune diseases, but my test always say homogeneous and sometimes speckled titres. Somes I don’t think be
Ven ypthey know what it is.

REPLY
seniormed | @seniormed | 1 day ago

Thanks for sharing your story of self help and determination.
I wonder if meds played some role in down-regulating the ANAs.
Were you ever on a TNF blocker or steroids. You have had a very thorough
workup and results are encouraging. We can do a lot for our inflammation
with diet and lifestyle changes. You might be onto something with the
diffuse fine speckled antibodies being protective or even a positive prognostic sign. There is not a lot of known about what they mean. Your care plan has
likely reduced your IL-6 and TNF. Have you been on statins for your systemic
inflammation?

REPLY
2 replies
hamzaw | @hamzaw | 1 day ago
In reply to @seniormed "Thanks for sharing your story of self help and determination. I wonder if meds played some..." + (show)
@seniormed

Thanks for sharing your story of self help and determination.
I wonder if meds played some role in down-regulating the ANAs.
Were you ever on a TNF blocker or steroids. You have had a very thorough
workup and results are encouraging. We can do a lot for our inflammation
with diet and lifestyle changes. You might be onto something with the
diffuse fine speckled antibodies being protective or even a positive prognostic sign. There is not a lot of known about what they mean. Your care plan has
likely reduced your IL-6 and TNF. Have you been on statins for your systemic
inflammation?

Jump to this post

I haven't been on any medications, but I have followed an anti-inflammatory diet along with an extensive supplement regimen.

REPLY
cblue | @cblue | 9 hours ago
In reply to @seniormed "Thanks for sharing your story of self help and determination. I wonder if meds played some..." + (show)
@seniormed

Thanks for sharing your story of self help and determination.
I wonder if meds played some role in down-regulating the ANAs.
Were you ever on a TNF blocker or steroids. You have had a very thorough
workup and results are encouraging. We can do a lot for our inflammation
with diet and lifestyle changes. You might be onto something with the
diffuse fine speckled antibodies being protective or even a positive prognostic sign. There is not a lot of known about what they mean. Your care plan has
likely reduced your IL-6 and TNF. Have you been on statins for your systemic
inflammation?

Jump to this post

Sorry to ask such a stupid question."what is DFS70? “ I have never had blood work with that type of test examined . I also never heard that statins are helpful for inflammation. ( though I do take a fairly high dose of rosuvastatin”

REPLY
celia16 | @celia16 | 5 minutes ago

What does speckled mean?

Also, have you heard of an ANA result that says Abnormal. Not negative or positive?

I’m recalling sime things in my tests. I haven’t looked at them in a couple of months. Rheumatologist thinks I’m not suffering from autoimmune disorder. I mean, I have type 1 diabetes, psoriasis and hypothyroidism, but besides those things,

REPLY
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