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My Autoimmune Journey: From 1:5120 to 1:320 ANA
Hey everyone,
I wanted to share my autoimmune journey and the steps I’ve taken to improve my ANA levels over the past year. For those who don’t know, a positive ANA result indicates an autoimmune condition, but it doesn’t always point to a specific disease. My journey has been full of trial and error, but I’ve managed to bring my ANA titer down from 1:5120 to 1:320, and I’m determined to lower it even further to under 1:80.
What I Did to Improve
Dietary Changes:
The best results came when I completely cut out gluten, dairy, and sugar from my diet. This step alone had the most significant impact on my inflammation and symptoms.
I focused on phytonutrient-rich foods like salads, green veggies, berries, and pasteurized sugar-free juices, especially berry juices. These foods became staples in my routine.
I incorporated 3-4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) daily, vegan protein shakes, and clean meals like chicken and rice.
Fiber intake was a priority, but I didn’t always hit my target of 40-50 grams per day. On most days, I managed 10-30 grams, using basil seeds, chia seeds, and psyllium husk to boost my intake.
From time to time, I also added dark chocolate or cacao powder to my shakes for its antioxidant benefits.
Additionally, I included collagen in my diet occasionally, either through bone broth or collagen supplements, which helped support my gut health and overall recovery.
Supplement Protocol:
I took a number of supplements, but to keep this section brief, I’ll only be mentioning the most important ones that I think were the most helpful. These included:
Vitamin D3
Omega-3 fish oil
Probiotics
Turmeric (curcumin)
Magnesium
Zinc
Vitamin C
Lifestyle Adjustments:
Sleep: Sleep was a key focus for me, and I took several steps to improve it.
I used melatonin (1mg, 2mg, or 3mg, never exceeding 3mg) to help regulate my sleep.
I tracked my deep sleep and REM sleep using a smartwatch, which gave me insights into my sleep quality.
To further improve my sleep environment, I used an eye cover to block out light.
Exercise: While I didn’t follow a strict five-day plan, I aimed to go to the gym consistently at least three times per week. This helped boost my energy and overall health.
No Medications:
One of the most important things I want to highlight is that I did this completely naturally, without using any steroids or medications. I was off all medications throughout this year, relying entirely on diet, supplements, and lifestyle changes to improve my health.
The Resources That Helped Me
Throughout this journey, I’ve learned so much from amazing experts and books that were incredibly helpful in shaping my protocol. These resources not only informed my approach but also provided hope and actionable steps for healing:
Amy Myers, MD, author of The Autoimmune Solution. Her book is a must-read for anyone dealing with autoimmune conditions and seeking a structured, comprehensive guide to healing.
Mark Hyman, MD, his insights into root cause approaches to health are transformative. He has also appeared on numerous podcasts, which are a great way to learn from his expertise and gain valuable health insights.
Dr. Chanu Dasari, MD, whose expertise in autoimmune healing and dietary strategies, especially through The Phytodiet Primer, has been invaluable.
Books like Beat Autoimmune by Palmer Kippola, The Autoimmune Fix by Tom O’Brien, and The Phytodiet Primer by Chanu Dasari provided practical strategies and tools for managing and reversing autoimmunity. These books are highly recommended for their actionable advice and deep insights into the causes and solutions for autoimmune conditions.
I highly encourage anyone on a similar journey to explore these experts and their work—their knowledge can make a huge difference in your healing process.
The Results So Far
ANA levels: From 1:5120 to 1:320 in one year.
Symptoms: My vasculitis and joint pain are 90% better. Flare-ups are minimal and mostly linked to specific triggers I can now identify.
Energy: I feel much more balanced, although I’m still fine-tuning my routine for optimal recovery.
What I’m Doing Next
Gut Healing:
Gradually reintroducing probiotics with diverse strains using kefir and Greek yogurt.
Rotating supplements and prebiotics to enhance gut flora diversity.
Long-Term Goals:
Lower my ANA to under 1:80 and maintain it through a sustainable lifestyle.
Continue to prioritise sleep, stress reduction, and regular movement.
Why I’m Sharing This
I’m sharing my story in the hope that it might help someone who is on a similar journey, or that someone might share insights to help me improve on something I may have missed.
I’ll also be updating this post as my ANA levels change (and hopefully lower).
If you have any questions about my journey, supplements, or routines, please feel free to ask—I’d love to help in any way I can.
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@lilytexas last summer I started with a dry cough, and shortness of breath and I developed mechanics hands, the condition evolved to NSIP and a ct scan revealed ILD, pages of blood tests done and Bronchoscopy later and myo marker panel came back positive with Antisynthatase PL7(which is pretty rare). My ANA was 1.16(almost normal) essentially my immune system began attacking my lungs. I went on oxygen concentrators for a few months. They prescribed heavy doses of predinisone and put me on Mycophenolate Mofetil. It’s taken almost a year but things beginning to get close to my baseline. Wishing you the best and I know first hand the anxiety that comes with what you’re enduring.
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2 Reactions@richelletriglia I meant medicine is not the way to go...
@rbear Thanks for sharing. I have a similar journey except started with skin, joints, then, ILD. Been on Mycophenolate Mofetil for ~15 months now. Lungs and skin have stabilized, which is good. I have ongoing muscle weakness in my legs - quads, gluts, et al. Had MRIs, EMG and they don't see inflammation, just some tendinosis and myopathy. Off to PT I go. I'm normally a very active person - tennis, golf, run, gym regularly. This muscle problem has hampered all my physical activities. Anyone experiencing anything similar? Any advice on relief?
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1 Reaction@elisaonthego may I ask your diagnoses? Maybe Myositis of some kind? JO-1 perhaps? I haven’t had the muscle weakness yet. Very lung dominant for me.
PL12 and Ro52. Muscle pain and weakness was an initial symptom along with heavy rash, bad itching, mechanic hands, joint problems, then, the breathing..ILD. MYC worked for all symptoms and they don't see the inflammation in my body anymore. Rheumatologist wants to refer me out for legs since she doesn't believe it is related to myositis. As an fyi - prior, I have always been a very healthy and active person.
@elisaonthego Meant to answer your diagnosis question….Antisynthetase Syndrome.
Wow, here I sit at 4:30 AM and came across your post. I was recently diagnosed with PMR abd put on Prednisone 12.5mg. It took months to get into see a Rheumatologist and after his exam and him telling me he is sure I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and by the looks of my joints in my hands it has been about a 3 year journey so far. I have to admit the past few years I have had multiple major issues of one flowing into the next. Too long and complicated to try to list but the pain in my body has brought my physical life to a halt. The pain in my lower body keeps me sedentary. If I am on my feet too much I get crippling pain from my waist down. My knuckles in my hands are enlarged and painful too.
Anyway, what you mentioned about diet is what I have been toying with. I have a pretty clean diet but I haven't cut out all dairy, I do organic as much as I can. My husband has to do all the shopping since my walking is so limited. I have been still drinking a glass of wine in the evening which is my crutch. Your posting has encouraged me to work on cleaning up my diet more.
Thank you!