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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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That's a very similar diet I'm on to battle cancer and crohn Disease
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3 ReactionsGlad your symptoms are better but I have been told numerous times by rheumatologists that the level of ANA dies not correlate with disease severity. Or with flares. And people with an ANA if 1:5120 can be healthy while someone with 1:320 can be very ill. I assume your SED rate and CRP have gone down?
Melatonin does not work for me.
I gave up several foods after an elimination test, 20 years ago. Dairy and gluten are big ones.
I do tai chi and quigong.
The real signs of progress are your reduction in symptoms. Thanks for sharing with the rest of us.
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2 ReactionsHello @hamzaw, I would like to add my welcome to Connect along with @denisestlouie and others. Thank you for starting this discussion and sharing your experience along with the resources that have helped you. You might also be interested in connecting with other members who have mentioned lowering ANA. Here's a search link that lists the other discussions and comments by members - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/?search=lowering+ana.
I've had a few good primary care doctors along the way that share some lifestyle changes that would help me. You listed a lot of great lifestyle changes you made. Did you receive any help along the way from any of your primary care doctors providing suggestions?
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1 ReactionI completely agree with you that the real sign of progression is the reduction of symptoms.
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2 ReactionsDid you have any testing, ENA; anti ds DNA; or anti centromere, to determine which autoimmune disease the ANA is giving you early warning of having.
It is so much nicer, and safter to resolve illness with natural methods.
Some diseases don't resolve that way. Many of the autoimmune systems don't have good pharmaceutical remedies. But some do, Rheumatoid Arthritis for example.
Thanks for your generous text.
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1 ReactionMt ANA and Sed rate stayed elevated for a few years before finding a competent doctor. I ended up being diagnosed with Hashimotos and Celiac Disease. I had been diagnosed 6 months earlier with RA, based on joint pain only. I was prescribed drugs, which I refused to take. I ended up finding a thyroid/hormone specialist in Austin, TX. She was AMAZING and thanks to her I have my life back!
I did 93 days of an autoimmune elimination diet to find my trigger foods. Gluten is obviously a major one due to having Celiac. I cut out all dairy, eggs, grains (including rice and corn), all nightshades, all legumes, nuts and seeds. No processed foods. I simply ate beef, poultry, pork, fish and seafood along with LOTS of sweet potatoes to get enough complex carbs, Lots of green leafy veges. All fruit and veges except for white potatoes.
I took LDN (Low Dose Naltrexone) for those 93 days as well. I lost 30 pounds in that tome, the majority was inflammation. I felt amazing. My legs and face were no longer puffy! I could see my knees and ankles again!
I gradually added in new foods, every 3 days, one at a time to find my triggers.
I cannot take collegen due to having breast cancer. I still take Vit D3 with MK7 and Cardio B as well as pre and probiotics, I take Tirosint and Cytomel for my Hashimotos. I just get in 10,000 steps a day. I also had cortisol issues which I was able to get under control.
Food really is poison or nutrition. You choose.
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2 ReactionsAfter 23 years of symptoms and a 2006 lupus diagnosis, my PCP (not rheumatology!) did an ANA with relfec panel and my anti-centromere antibodies are sky high (limited scleroderma). I am now being followed annually by a rheumatologist who specializes in that, and they did a lot of testing of kidneys, lung and heart to assess my status.
I get systemically ill in the sun. Other than that it is hard to tell which of my pain and neuro issues are due to autoimmunity. I also had a likely paraneoplastic syndrome, an autoimmune reaction to breast cancer. There is "something oging on" but at this point I don't care about labels, since I don't want to take immune suppressants. I did Plaquenil for years but cannot take it anymore (eyes, and also I have a borderline QTc syndrome).
I did an elimination diet in 2006. Eliminated gluten, dairy, salmon, avocado, nuts (both kinds), chocolate, soy, citrus, canola oil. Have gone back on soy in a limited way. I react to pitted fruits in excess. I believe gluten and dairy were contributing to inflammation/paresthesias but some of the other ones were actual allergies.
Tai chi helps me a lot. At the start of class all my neuro sensations are triggered but by the end my body is calmed.
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4 ReactionsA lot of prepared GF foods are not that healthy due to high sugar, salt, and simple carbohydrates. There are a lot of online recipes now for GF foods. I bake my own GF sourdough bread with a mix of flours (using kombucha, my pet is a SCOBY). The GF pasta that I've tried and is closest in texture to wheat pasta is hemp pasta; it cooks better at high elevations and is high in protein and fiber. I am on a mostly FODMAP diet, just minimizing the inflammatory foods. I have celiac, MGUS, and a few other idiosyncrasies. Consistent resistance and aerobic exercise, hobbies, corralling stress, supportive friends/family, and sleeping are important.
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2 ReactionsYes, I did ENA and anti-dsDNA tests, as suggested by the rheumatologist, but all of them came back negative. So, the only marker I have to focus on is ANA.
@hamzaw the ANA with reflex panel may be different from the testing you have had. NOt sure. But after 25 years of the usual testing I recently was discovered to have very high centromere antibodies, and this was the first time I had seen tests for that. From Quest regarding the ANA with reflex panel:
Test Details
Includes
ANA Screen, IFA, with Reflex to Titer and Pattern
DNA (ds) Antibody, Crithidia IFA with Reflex to Titer
Chromatin (Nucleosomal) Antibody
Sm Antibody
Sm/RNP Antibody
RNP Antibody
Sjogren's Antibodies (SS-A, SS-B)
Scleroderma Antibody (Scl-70)
Jo-1 Antibody
Centromere B Antibody
Complement Component C3c and C4c
Cardiolipin Antibodies (IgA, IgG, IgM)
Beta-2-Glycoprotein I Antibodies (IgG, IgA, IgM)
Rheumatoid Factor (IgA, IgG, IgM)
Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide (CCP) Antibody (IgG)
Mutated Citrullinated Vimentin (MCV) Antibody
Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPO)
If ANA Screen, IFA is positive, then ANA Titer and Pattern will be performed at an additional charge (CPT code(s): 86039).
If the DNA (ds) Antibody Screen is positive, then DNA (ds) Antibody Titer will be performed at an additional charge (CPT code(s): 86256).
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