ANA test follow up results - anyone else experience this

Posted by saw2019 @saw2019, Jun 26 1:32pm

Hello all

I received an abnormal ANA test result in February after meeting with a medical provider for fatigue, joint and muscle pain (among some other things that came and went, not sure they are related). I finally had an appointment with a rheumatologist this week who did further testing for ANA. My titer came back as 1:320 and a speckled pattern. All other blood work has come back normal. At this point I am waiting things out, meeting again with rheumatologist next month and she is having me try prednisone to see if my body reacts positively. My question is, has anyone else been in this situation? She told me there is potential I am in early stages of connective tissue disease but there is not enough to fully diagnose. I struggle with unknowns so just looking for others experiences. Thank you!

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Profile picture for suzieq1980 @suzieq1980

I am in the same boat. I have a moderately positive ANA 1:180 with both speckled and homogenous patterns. I have been experiencing symptoms of random fevers, joint and muscle pain, dry mouth, dry eyes, fatigue and malar rash for 15 plus years. Only recently has any doctor taken me seriously. So I requested n autoimmune workout. The only positive result was my ANA.

My PCP referred me to a rheumatologist who proceeded to tell me she didn’t see anything “ rheumatolgoically” wrong with me despite the fact my joint were swollen, painful and inflamed at my appointment along with a blazing malar rash. Despite all that she did start me on gabapentin for the pain and turmeric for inflammation.

My PCP doesn’t quite agree with only using the turmeric for inflammation and thinks I should be on plaquenil but she is going along with the recs of the rheumatologist. I have a follow up with rheumatology next month. In the meantime I have been tracking my symptoms and taking pictures of rashes to show the doctor.

I do know that autoimmune diseases are a diagnosis of exclusion as frustrating as that is. Especially if one has been having symptoms for an extended period of time.

Hang in there. You re not alone,

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My heart aches for you. Personally, I would see another Rheumatoloigst for another evaluation/consult. Your body had built up antibodies against itself. So identify the SOURCE of those antibodies.

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Profile picture for Sue, Volunteer Mentor @sueinmn

Yes there are a number of blood markers that show inflammation. But, not everyone forms those antibodies, even if they have RA or another autoimmune inflammatory condition. Then they are known to have "seronegative [condition]" - this is more common with some conditions than with others.
And, some people can have a number of inflammatory processes and no blood markers, decisions must be made based on symptoms. Doctors are not sure why this happens.

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I understand sero-negative RA. My late husband had this. His x-rays looked like mice had been eating away at his bones in his toes and hands. He had so much pain. May he rest in piece. All the steroids and Humira finally took their toll on his body.

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Hi saw2019,

You and I share the same titre of 320, and a speckled pattern. Since having been on Plaquenil (2018) my titre now falls within the near normal range. My high anti-CCP readings have turned negative. I still suffer with Sjogren’s symptoms, although no anti-SSA or -SSB antibodies are present. Never had any elevated inflammatory markers. The searing episodes of hand pain are gone, just some mild wrist and hand pain from time to time. The original diagnosis of Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD) was changed to Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease (UCTD), and here I remain!
Autoimmune disease is a very strange journey, and quite changeable. Symptoms and lab results come and go. I think the earlier you start treatment, the better the outcome. And don’t ignore diet and staying active. Look into alternative treatments. Above all, be prepared to get second, third, even fourth opinions. And good luck!

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Profile picture for thisnthat @thisnthat

Hi saw2019,

You and I share the same titre of 320, and a speckled pattern. Since having been on Plaquenil (2018) my titre now falls within the near normal range. My high anti-CCP readings have turned negative. I still suffer with Sjogren’s symptoms, although no anti-SSA or -SSB antibodies are present. Never had any elevated inflammatory markers. The searing episodes of hand pain are gone, just some mild wrist and hand pain from time to time. The original diagnosis of Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD) was changed to Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease (UCTD), and here I remain!
Autoimmune disease is a very strange journey, and quite changeable. Symptoms and lab results come and go. I think the earlier you start treatment, the better the outcome. And don’t ignore diet and staying active. Look into alternative treatments. Above all, be prepared to get second, third, even fourth opinions. And good luck!

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This was helpful to read, I've had similar test results. My rheumatologist has described it as inflammation that is active in different parts of the body at different times and so I think the fluctuation in test results is due to the variable nature of where and what is being attacked or damaged.

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I have a speckled Ana.
Diagnosis Lupus, Sjogrens, Hashimotos (autoimmune hypothyroidism), mixed connective tissue disease,
I also have autoimmune severe axonal sensorimotor peripheral polyneuropathy, small fiber neuropathy
Dysautonomia, cardiac autonomic neuropathy. I am between stage 4 and 5 on neuropathy.

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Overview
Antinuclear Factor (ANF), Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) and Its ...
In the context of an Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) test, a speckled pattern indicates the presence of antibodies targeting various extractable nuclear antigens (ENAs) within the cell nucleus. This pattern is commonly seen in autoimmune diseases like Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Sjögren's syndrome, and Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD). However, it can also appear in healthy individuals, making it a non-specific finding that requires further clinical evaluation

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Profile picture for artemis1886 @artemis1886

I have a speckled Ana.
Diagnosis Lupus, Sjogrens, Hashimotos (autoimmune hypothyroidism), mixed connective tissue disease,
I also have autoimmune severe axonal sensorimotor peripheral polyneuropathy, small fiber neuropathy
Dysautonomia, cardiac autonomic neuropathy. I am between stage 4 and 5 on neuropathy.

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Hi,
Sorry to hear about all the different health challenges. I also right after Covid shot I had allergic reactions & myocardial infarction & then started having multiple health issues but no one was able to diagnose the issues. I finally found a GP that took the correct tests & was diagnosed with Lupus, Hashimotos then later fibromyalgia and the worst nightmare one polyneuropathy .
I'm on hydroxycloriquone, steroids, cymbalta 60mgs and lyrica 300mg daily . Helps take the edge off the symptoms but sometimes the medication doesn't work and now I have extreme brain fog or who knows what else? Sometimes I'm at a loss for words mid sentence forgot my best friends name. Rheumatologist suggested I see neurologist but prior to seeing rheumatologist I was seeing neurologist and he told me he couldn't help me anymore & see someone else. So many doctors and no one is able to help me. I feel useless , I was so energetic and was able to accomplish so much . Now work is becoming challenging as well . Not sure what I will do next ??

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I've had LS for about 20 years. Took forever to get the Dx, because until I went to Mayo Clinic for a spine follow up and they asked if anything else was wrong, I explained the cuts and feeling of being cut, and numerous misdiagnoses of yeast and vague results of "inflammation" did they take a look and biopsy with results of LS. Also have oral lichen planus. Now I learn one of the likely causes of repeated UTI's is the thinning skin not protecting my vulva,bladder, etc so keep it well covered with a barrier, ladies! I had to postpone cervical spinal surgery 4 times due to active and now colonized UTI's - our gyno's and derma's don't know or don't tell us this! I learned on my own through extensive searching pubmed, etc.

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Profile picture for chrisanon @chrisanon

I've had LS for about 20 years. Took forever to get the Dx, because until I went to Mayo Clinic for a spine follow up and they asked if anything else was wrong, I explained the cuts and feeling of being cut, and numerous misdiagnoses of yeast and vague results of "inflammation" did they take a look and biopsy with results of LS. Also have oral lichen planus. Now I learn one of the likely causes of repeated UTI's is the thinning skin not protecting my vulva,bladder, etc so keep it well covered with a barrier, ladies! I had to postpone cervical spinal surgery 4 times due to active and now colonized UTI's - our gyno's and derma's don't know or don't tell us this! I learned on my own through extensive searching pubmed, etc.

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Do you know if lichen planus can cause Ana titer to be mildly positive? My sed rate, CRP, CK, CCP, labs are all normal but ana titer is 1:160.

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I don't know.. only understand that any auto immune disease can cause labs show positive titers.

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