Question on ANA and dsDNA
A few years ago i started getting worked up by rheumatologists. It allstarted when my gp did an ANA, which was high titer, so I was referred to a rheum.
I started getting rashes, more like inflammation on my face, cheeks mostly. They would get red and hot, sometimes swell and i would feel horrible. Nothing on my nose, but my ears would be involved sometimes. Anyway, they worked me up and i had a slightly elevated dsDNA. Ana came back normal.
I had more blood, urine, chest xray, all were fine. My urine never has shown protein.
Since then, they have blamed my rashes and fevers on ebv. And the all powerful and seasoned 2nd rheum i visited said i would most likely not ever suffer from anything autoimmune.
Two months later i was diagnosed at a young age with lichens sclerosis, an autoimmune disorder.
I have other things i deal with such as cic and now ibs and raynauds. I think it all stems from the ebv, and my strong family history of autoimmune disorders. Like a trigger. Done a lot of reading just a therory. But i never had these problems until i got mono.
Anyway, wondering how dsDNA and ANA be elevated with no diagnosis?
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Or rather can there be a falsely elevated dsDNA?
Hi @januaryjane that sounds very confusing and frustrating.
If you are asking about an anti-dsDNA test here is more information on that test: https://labtestsonline.org/tests/anti-dsdna
I also wanted to tag @tamarrillo2 @sue225 and @cinnamon215 as they have experience with Lichen Sclerosis and may be able to share if they've had similar test results.
Also, @mrmie, @momnxtdr and @dandy have experience with Epstein Barr Virus and may be able to share if they've had similar results, or can offer you support.
Back to you @januaryjane have you had additional symptoms outside of the rashes and fevers?
I promised I would tell the name of the book and author about Giant Cell Arteritis . The name is Giant Cell Arteritis , one man s experience. The author is Mason A Clark . It is an easy read and he has done a lot of research. He is also 95 years old.
This is for those of with Temporal Arteritis or GCA..
@ethanmcconkey. No, I have not had an anti-dsDNA test. The info at the link says this test is to check for lupus. I have been checked out with the blood tests for both lupus and sjogren's syndrome a number of years ago.
Ethan M.- I have raynauds, (even if its 95 degrees, i can have cold hands, feet, and/or nose), heat intolerance, fatigue, muscle aches, numbness, tingling, cramping in hands and feet. Poor concentration, brain fog, on and off sores on tongue. Light and sound sensitivity. Feeling things crawl up leg or arm. A mix of stuff. Today i was out in the heat and my fingers and toes were swollen and red. When i cool off, they go back to normal. The last rheumatologist didnt understand this, she told me to always wear sunscreen, which yes, but I dont get burnt, i dont even have to be in the sun.
Sorry, my reply to you is below.
Ethan M, I have raynauds and some of the crazy symptoms like heat intolerance had brain fog sore mouth. I recently had a genvoa nateval test, all my vitamin Bs are low and deficient B6 B3 alpha lipoic acid low glutathione, I'm wondering have you had at least your B12 Folic and homocysteine checked. I have active mthfr I do not process folic acid right to much is toxic to me. It's just something you may want to look at.
Thank you for getting back to me! I will look for it now. Happy New Year.