1. < Infectious Diseases

Epstein Barr Nuclear AG AB IGG result of over 600

Posted by lsh @lsh, May 3, 2020

Hello, I am searching for information and also input because of my hideously high lab results for EBNA Nuclear AB IGG. My result was given as over 600. The range is less than 18 is negative. Over 22 is positive. To restate, my lab result is over 600.

I am 52. I did have mono at age 11. For at least four years I have complained on numerous times to my PCP of fatigue. We suspected thyroid but that has been treated and I still have suffered from bouts of fatigue, feeling like I was coming down with a bug, dizziness, etc for 3 or 4 days out of just about every month for the last eighteen months. I finally saw a naturopath who tested me for EBV.

I love my Naturopath, but I am wondering if I should be seeing a specialist because of this high lab result.
I am on a treatment plan of antiviral supplements, and immune supporting vitamins and supplements which she said will probably need to be taken for at least three months.

Has anyone else had numbers this high? I am having trouble finding much information on reactivated EBV.

Thank you!
Lisa

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

tricia13 | @tricia13 | Jan 14, 2023
In reply to @kathl "Hi! Meant heartfelt thank yous post! Question: Have you or anyone else who has > 600..." + (show)
@kathl

Hi!

Meant heartfelt thank yous post!

Question: Have you or anyone else who has > 600 EBV Nuclear Ag Antibody IgG results been tested or diagnosed w/ a primary autoimmune disease?

Last month I asked my internist to order a serum EBV Nuclear Ag Antibody IgG (U/mL) test, along w/ other EBV tests. The sole out of range result was EBV Nuclear Ag Antibody IgG (U/mL) test > 600.

I googled + discovered the following info in a research article (link below), which I’m thinking may be of interest.

- high anti-EBNA-1 antibody levels may reflect a deficient control of the EBV infection, increasing the tendency toward autoimmunity
- the risk of MS increased with increasing anti-EBNA-1 antibody levels (p for trend <0.0001)
- elevations in anti-EBNA-1 antibody levels become increased between 15 and 20 years before the first symptoms of MS and thereafter remain constant over time

Interestingly, over a few decades, I received the following diagnoses
- 1974 (age 17) Infectious Mononucleosis … which I only recently learned is EBV + a herpes virus.
- 1987 (age 29) Pars Planitis, now called intermediate uveitis, a condition I was advised is often seen with primary autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune disease test results were negative and pars planitis improved.
- 2011 (age 54) Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
- 2021 (age 63) Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis. My early symptoms: 1) sudden leg weakness that lasted a few days then improved 2) bi-lateral tingling in my toes that over a few weeks rose to my waist then over weeks returned to my toes/feet/lower legs. Over 3 yrs, I consulted 3 neurologists, had multiple spinal MRIs that revealed a stable T7 lesion, numerous blood tests + several EMGs … was advised my tingling might be early peripheral neuropathy. On a hot day, I experienced significant difficulty walking. A brain MRI revealed lesions + spinal tap revealed oligoclonal bands resulting in an MS diagnosis … w/ a strong suspicion that I’ve had MS since the 1987 pars planitis diagnosis.

I’m most interested to learn
- if you or others w/ elevated EBV Nuclear Ag Antibody IgG results have received autoimmune diagnoses

Thank you again!

Article
“High Levels of Epstein–Barr Virus Nuclear Antigen-1-Specific Antibodies and Infectious Mononucleosis Act Both Independently and Synergistically to Increase Multiple Sclerosis Risk”

http://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2019.01368/full

Jump to this post

Hello, Yes, I have Celiac Disease and Grave’s disease. My EPV was triggered after having COVID. It had been dormant for 12 years. Hope this helps answer your question. Tricia

REPLY
kathl | @kathl | Jan 14, 2023

Thx so much for your reply. I’m very sorry to hear COVID reactivated EBV. Hoping your COVID was mild and you’re feeling better now.

- what was your COVID experience like?
- How did you discover EBV Re activation?
- how are you doing post COVID?
- any long COVID symptoms?
- Did you experience any EBV symptoms?

“Drbeen Medical Lectures” EBV YouTubes includes one about EBV reactivation … his other EBV YouTube’s are very helpful in understanding EBV too.

Epstein-Barr Virus Reactivation
https://youtu.be/HvlTHp1Vp1E

Discovered some interesting info re the role EBV may play in autoimmune diseases and cancer in the Q&A section at bottom of EBV article below

https://ada.com/conditions/epstein-barr-virus/

Welcome links to any info you have discovered + find helpful too.

REPLY
kathl | @kathl | Jan 14, 2023

Hi!

Thank you so much for your post. I so understand and empathize with all you’re going through.

When I initially experienced fatigue in 2011, I was tested and diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.

I have since learned …
1) “ Hashimoto's thyroiditis, also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the United States. It is an autoimmune disorder involving chronic inflammation of the thyroid. This condition tends to run in families.”
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjj4eiansj8AhUlJkQIHVkeArQQFnoECA4QAw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thyroid.org%2Fhashimotos-thyroiditis%2F&usg=AOvVaw3L83rd3jzQFsvk-n17_Dxz

2) “Having another autoimmune disease — such as rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes or lupus — increases your risk of developing Hashimoto's disease.”
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hashimotos-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20351855

3) “high anti-EBNA-1 antibody levels may reflect a deficient control of the EBV infection, increasing the tendency toward autoimmunity.”
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2019.01368/full

4) “Rheumatologists diagnose, treat and manage a broad range of conditions, including … Autoimmune diseases that happen when your immune system attacks healthy tissue.”
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22335-rheumatologist

I have also discovered “Drbeen Medical Lectures” EBV YouTube’s … which I’m finding very insightful + helpful. Dr Been makes learning about EBV easy + enjoyable.

Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) Serology
https://youtu.be/T6Pm5VmjZ6g

Epstein-Barr Virus Reactivation
https://youtu.be/HvlTHp1Vp1E

Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) - Long Covid
https://youtu.be/nu9vRJC9bwo

Evidence of Epstein-Barr Virus Reactivation in Long Covid Patients
https://youtu.be/dAmH7IpUpbI

I will greatly appreciate + look forward to updates + links to information about anything you learn.

REPLY
1 reply
aztennisguy | @aztennisguy | Feb 27, 2023
In reply to @kathl "Hi! Thank you so much for your post. I so understand and empathize with all you’re..." + (show)
@kathl

Hi!

Thank you so much for your post. I so understand and empathize with all you’re going through.

When I initially experienced fatigue in 2011, I was tested and diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.

I have since learned …
1) “ Hashimoto's thyroiditis, also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the United States. It is an autoimmune disorder involving chronic inflammation of the thyroid. This condition tends to run in families.”
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjj4eiansj8AhUlJkQIHVkeArQQFnoECA4QAw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thyroid.org%2Fhashimotos-thyroiditis%2F&usg=AOvVaw3L83rd3jzQFsvk-n17_Dxz

2) “Having another autoimmune disease — such as rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes or lupus — increases your risk of developing Hashimoto's disease.”
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hashimotos-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20351855

3) “high anti-EBNA-1 antibody levels may reflect a deficient control of the EBV infection, increasing the tendency toward autoimmunity.”
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2019.01368/full

4) “Rheumatologists diagnose, treat and manage a broad range of conditions, including … Autoimmune diseases that happen when your immune system attacks healthy tissue.”
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22335-rheumatologist

I have also discovered “Drbeen Medical Lectures” EBV YouTube’s … which I’m finding very insightful + helpful. Dr Been makes learning about EBV easy + enjoyable.

Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) Serology
https://youtu.be/T6Pm5VmjZ6g

Epstein-Barr Virus Reactivation
https://youtu.be/HvlTHp1Vp1E

Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) - Long Covid
https://youtu.be/nu9vRJC9bwo

Evidence of Epstein-Barr Virus Reactivation in Long Covid Patients
https://youtu.be/dAmH7IpUpbI

I will greatly appreciate + look forward to updates + links to information about anything you learn.

Jump to this post

Thank you for the helpful info. I am unsure which doctor's to even go to these days with my post covid issues. Almost all of them seem like a deer in headlights when you tell them your issues, and even show them your >600 EBV values post covid. I was competitive tennis player 2 hour a night prior to covid in 2021, and now have more muscle pains than ever before, and even lymph issue when trying to even exercise a little more on the tennis court. It is disheartening to know no doctor's seem to know what is going on with all this funding that has been given out. I have read that high EBV post covid and cause ME/Chronic Fatigue, as well as Hodgkins Lymphoma. Kind of worried about this, and wondering can anyone suggest the correct doctor's to see to rule out this stuff? I told my PCP my lymphs in neck hurt, muscle pain, etc. and basically gave me prednisone. I just want to find the correct type of doctor that will do the correct tests if anyone has suggestions? I see mention of rheumatologists, etc. but I have been there and they said I have mixed connective tissue disorder post covid, but that does not explain lymph issues now. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Hope everyone keeps positive when there seems to not be much help out there. Long haulers are now our own self-care covid clinics 🙁

REPLY
1 reply
dmfurnace60 | @dmfurnace60 | Mar 8, 2023

I am 62 and my entire life I have felt tired. I am also a very smart individual who could have successfully become a doctor, lawyer, engineer. Instead I chose to be a stay at home mom and work part-time. I attended college several different times. When I told my primary care physician about me feelings as an adult he treated me for depression. The medicine only made my more tired. I have a female doctor now and she is more understanding and doing all kinds of test. She did the complete Epstein Bar and 2 of my results were high.
EBV NUCLEAR IGG
UNIT/VOL EXTERNAL U/mL
Value 466.0
Standard Range 0.0 - 17.9 U/mL which means at some point I had mono. I was never ever diagnosed with it. The second test results were how I found this chat … EBV VIRAL CAPSID
IGG UNIT/OL
EXTERNAL
U/mL
Value >600.0
Standard Range 0.0 - 17.9 U/mL. My doctor referred me to a rheumatologist because my older sister has both rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogrens ( not sure on the spelling) disease. I also have very high results on C-Reactive Protein and Eosinophils which are markers for inflammation. The rheumatologist wanted me referred to an infectious disease person. My doctor is not running more test and we will go from there. My doctor said she may talk to another rheumatologist. My sisters RA doctor is associated with Cleveland Clinic. My sister is going to ask her doctor if she would look at all my labs and see what she thinks. If I learn anything I will make another comment. Good luck to everyone else. It is sort of a relief to know I am not the only person feeling like this.

REPLY
trsmith6741 | @trsmith6741 | Mar 22, 2023

My ebv igg was over 600. I have a terminally ill family member. Should I stay away or can I see him?

REPLY
clays23 | @clays23 | Apr 3, 2023

Hi Lisa,

I believe I have reactivated EBV due to getting Covid-19 last March, 2022. I have been tired and dizzy since then. I started to see a new primary care nurse practitioner last fall, 2022, and all the efforts up to now are my own...pushing and pushing, asking for blood tests that I have learned about from family members. First my brother who has had fatigue, pain, brain fog and now depression since he contracted Covid-19 in the very beginning of the US pandemic 2020. He was a critical care nurse at the time. Face to face with intubated patients dying of Covid. He asked me if I had tested for EBV and that two of the antibody tests were "sky high". I then asked for those tests. The first panel I did included EBV VCA-IGM, EBV VCA-IGG and EBV EBNA-IGG...I was 488.00 H for VCA-IGG and >600.00 H for EBNA-IGG...both signaling a "past infection". I am 60 and had mono at 16!

I then started talking to my cousin who has been diagnosed with CFS/ME for 35 years who knows more than anyone I know about her own disease and it's connection to EBV. She was treated by a groundbreaking doctor in the Lake Tahoe area (Dr. Dan Peterson). He is a leading expert in CFS/ME. He used the EBV Early Antigen (EA) D AB (IGG) antibody test as a marker for EBV viral load in the body. Meaning (as far as I can tell from my own research) that your body is actively fighting the virus. So I asked my NP for an order for that specific test. My results were (just two weeks ago) >150 H. My cousin said THAT IS VERY HIGH...you need treatment, NOW. I am trying to get referred to infectious disease doc and so far...can't get one taking new patients. Very frustrating!

So I am doing my own research and found Mayo Clinic Connect. Best community I have found so far! Also, I just found a treatment plan that member @jenchaney727 talks about in detail. I am commencing her suggestions as soon as I get all the supplements. Meanwhile, I saw another discussion thread on here that suggesteds L-lysine
which I have had on hand for years for cold sores. I started 1000mg 3x day two days ago. I don't want to get prematurely excited, but I feel better now than I have in a very long time!

So, to reiterate, many commenters on this thread may need to get a different antibody test than the EBNA-IGG and get the EBV EA-D IGG test. Most docs will NOT order this for you unless you insist and they won't understand the results either. But experts in the field of EBV and CFS/ME do. These docs are VERY HARD TO FIND. And what I think I have is REACTIVATED EBV due to Covid-19. This is the chronic form of EBV-NOT mono. Also, my first clue was Post Exertional Malaise (PEM) after exercise. That was also my brother's primary symptom and it is also a hallmark of CFS/ME.

I hope you and some of the other commenters on this discussion have already found more help!

REPLY
clays23 | @clays23 | Apr 3, 2023
In reply to @kathl "Hi! Meant heartfelt thank yous post! Question: Have you or anyone else who has > 600..." + (show)
@kathl

Hi!

Meant heartfelt thank yous post!

Question: Have you or anyone else who has > 600 EBV Nuclear Ag Antibody IgG results been tested or diagnosed w/ a primary autoimmune disease?

Last month I asked my internist to order a serum EBV Nuclear Ag Antibody IgG (U/mL) test, along w/ other EBV tests. The sole out of range result was EBV Nuclear Ag Antibody IgG (U/mL) test > 600.

I googled + discovered the following info in a research article (link below), which I’m thinking may be of interest.

- high anti-EBNA-1 antibody levels may reflect a deficient control of the EBV infection, increasing the tendency toward autoimmunity
- the risk of MS increased with increasing anti-EBNA-1 antibody levels (p for trend <0.0001)
- elevations in anti-EBNA-1 antibody levels become increased between 15 and 20 years before the first symptoms of MS and thereafter remain constant over time

Interestingly, over a few decades, I received the following diagnoses
- 1974 (age 17) Infectious Mononucleosis … which I only recently learned is EBV + a herpes virus.
- 1987 (age 29) Pars Planitis, now called intermediate uveitis, a condition I was advised is often seen with primary autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune disease test results were negative and pars planitis improved.
- 2011 (age 54) Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
- 2021 (age 63) Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis. My early symptoms: 1) sudden leg weakness that lasted a few days then improved 2) bi-lateral tingling in my toes that over a few weeks rose to my waist then over weeks returned to my toes/feet/lower legs. Over 3 yrs, I consulted 3 neurologists, had multiple spinal MRIs that revealed a stable T7 lesion, numerous blood tests + several EMGs … was advised my tingling might be early peripheral neuropathy. On a hot day, I experienced significant difficulty walking. A brain MRI revealed lesions + spinal tap revealed oligoclonal bands resulting in an MS diagnosis … w/ a strong suspicion that I’ve had MS since the 1987 pars planitis diagnosis.

I’m most interested to learn
- if you or others w/ elevated EBV Nuclear Ag Antibody IgG results have received autoimmune diagnoses

Thank you again!

Article
“High Levels of Epstein–Barr Virus Nuclear Antigen-1-Specific Antibodies and Infectious Mononucleosis Act Both Independently and Synergistically to Increase Multiple Sclerosis Risk”

http://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2019.01368/full

Jump to this post

Hi, I have had Long Covid fatigue and dizziness for over a year due to what I believe is an EBV reactivation. I started getting blood tests this past fall and had a positive ANA. I guess it is a weak/low positive 1:40. Not sure where that plays into my symptoms. I was also low vitamin D.

REPLY
clays23 | @clays23 | Apr 3, 2023
In reply to @preceptgirl "I am doing online research and just found these posts as well! I also have >..." + (show)
@preceptgirl

I am doing online research and just found these posts as well! I also have > 600 ebv IgG and don’t have a clue as to why. I never had mono! But I am always tired and get sore throats and cold sores every time I get sick. Trying to build my immune system don’t know what else to do n

Jump to this post

Hi,

Not sure if you've already found relief since this post but you may want to read/follow the discussion thread under "Treatment for chronic Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)". I found loads of info on there!

REPLY
jlr0285 | @jlr0285 | Apr 4, 2023

At what point do you get chronic EBV? I was diagnosed in early February after pushing for the test. She said people don’t get it twice. HA! This is round 3 for me. Anyway I have sore throat with white patches, brain fog and the crushing fatigue. I would love to hear your thoughts.

REPLY
1 reply
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.