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ANA test follow up results - anyone else experience this

Posted by saw2019 @saw2019, Jun 26, 2025

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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sunshine67 | @sunshine67 | Aug 10, 2025

Margotcc:
Please use caution taking Leflunomide…prescribed to me by Rheumatologist as worked very well with my disease, except gave me high blood pressure, normally have low bp. At Endo dr visit, bp so high dr immediately told me to stop taking! My bp returned to low bp one week later off the Leflunomide.
Please regularly check your blood pressure.

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pm56 | @pm56 | Aug 11, 2025
In reply to @pm56 "Yes - unfortunately it’s not uncommon to get a positive ANA and everything else looks fine...." + (show)
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Yes - unfortunately it’s not uncommon to get a positive ANA and everything else looks fine. It can sometimes take a few years for antibodies to show up. It took 25 years for me to finally arrive at a rheumatologist after years and years of terrible low back pain that turned out to be inflammatory. Orthopedists, sports medicine doctors, physiatrists, etc., often ran a CRP or ESR test (inflammatory markers) which looked fine, but it wasn’t until someone ran a RF test in 2019 that we finally figured out it was autoimmune in nature. Autoimmune disease is infuriating as it can take time to show up, but meanwhile you may be symptomatic. Even more annoying, the results can change over time as well. For years I was negative for ANA. Then two years ago I was positive. Now I’m negative again but with a positive antibody for MCTD, which left me confused and unsure of what that meant long term. My rheumatologist essentially said, “don’t worry - long term it doesn’t mean much as I focus on treating your symptoms as they are now - not your diagnosis or your labs.” That sounds like what your rheumatologist is doing. She’s not focusing on your labs and your lack of antibodies - she’s trying a dose of steroids to see how you feel. If you feel better, she’ll have a good indication that your immune system might be the problem regardless of what the labs say. There are patients who are considered “seronegative” who don’t have, for example, RA antibodies, or who ultimately wind up falling into an “undefined connective tissue disease” diagnosis. Sounds like you have a receptive rheumatologist as she didn’t just send you off with a “nothing I can do for you.” Hopefully you’ll get more answers. 😊

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Sorry, I just re-read what I wrote and realized I meant to write *undifferentiated CTD not undefined! 😊

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waynerl | @waynerl | Jan 24 11:29am

I just joined this group because I was asking about prednisone side-effects. I am also a member of the prostate cancer group. My original prostate cancer from 2010 cane back last year and metastasized to my right lung. I started a daily dose of Abiraterone 1,000mg and Prednisone (5mg) in September. I guess it has stopped the spread of cancer, but the side-effects are tough to deal with. In addition to all those mentioned in this group for Prednisone, I have also had slight tremors. My PCP said it was caused by the Prednisone. My oncologist said the dose was too low to cause that. Any input appreciated. Thank you.
~Wayne L.

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taylor05 | @taylor05 | Jan 25 8:57am

I have Connective Tissue Disease and I hope you don't as its terrible! Good luck in your journey

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Alta Net | @altabiznet | Jan 25 12:29pm
In reply to @waynerl "I just joined this group because I was asking about prednisone side-effects. I am also a..." + (show)
Profile picture for waynerl @waynerl

I just joined this group because I was asking about prednisone side-effects. I am also a member of the prostate cancer group. My original prostate cancer from 2010 cane back last year and metastasized to my right lung. I started a daily dose of Abiraterone 1,000mg and Prednisone (5mg) in September. I guess it has stopped the spread of cancer, but the side-effects are tough to deal with. In addition to all those mentioned in this group for Prednisone, I have also had slight tremors. My PCP said it was caused by the Prednisone. My oncologist said the dose was too low to cause that. Any input appreciated. Thank you.
~Wayne L.

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@waynerl
Prednisone 5 mg daily is considered a low dose, but for me it was causing palpitations and fluid retention as a single agent. No tremors in my case. But based on Copilot search, Prednisone can cause tremors and muscle twitching with higher doses or prolonged use:
https://www.bing.com/search
More likely, your other tough side effects are coming from Abiraterone.

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laurenann | @laurenann | 1 day ago

I tested positive ANA with speckled pattern at 36, the same year I went through menopause due to autoimmune issues, and had my first incidence of macular degeneration which I now believe was due to a sudden drop in hormones, making my very small blood vessles more brittle.

I'm now 68 (today's my birthday!). I get exercise through salsa dance and walking. My weight is normal, not overweight. A rheumatologist who recently examined me told me I am much healthier than other people my age. I no longer have arthritis symptoms, I have reduced my thyroid medication a bit (hypothyroid since 36 too), and I have recovered from Long Covid three times, although it took a while each time.

I attribute all these successes to changing my diet. I am now gluten, dairy, grain, and sugar free. I do eat some white rice. This diet is anti-inflammatory, and I have to believe it has calmed my immune system down considerably. If I cheat on the diet I get arthritis symptoms back, and I believe those symptoms lead to arthritic degradation of joints, so I don't cheat much anymore.

This has been a powerful approach for me. Hope that helps.

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