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Possible high-titer ANA due to Covid-19? Long shot?
Hi All,
I am new to this group. This is probably a long shot, but I am wondering if a very high ANA level could be due to a recent Covid-19 infection or if that is only the case for low-moderately elevated levels.
I recently recovered from a persistent case of Covid-19 and had rheumatology blood work done five weeks later that came back with a very high titer ANA (1:2560 in a nucleolar pattern) alongside positive anti-RO52 antibodies. Both are associated w/ more severe forms of systemic sclerosis and other connective tissue diseases that involve interstitial lung disease. Scary! I am wondering about any chance of Long Covid but understand these levels are probably too high for that.
As some background, I have had inflammatory issues my entire life between eczema, allergies to all sorts of things (especially antibiotics, pets and environment), and intermittent random high blood levels such as d-dimer or proteins. I was hospitalized almost 20 years ago with a severe pneumonia and cytokine storm and developed mild asthma.
Most recently, I developed bad scalp psoriasis alongside some numbness and tingling, migraines, dry eye, intermittent joint pain and fatigue. When I saw the rheumatologist four weeks post-Covid, she thought I had Raynaud's as well due to dilated blood vessels.
I feel as if the writing is on the wall that this is serious, but I am curious about any possible Covid impact. I also had a milder case of Covid last August before the psoriasis started and additionally in 2022.
Thank you, and I will cross post in the post-Covid group.
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I had a high ANA titer when I got sick in June of 2022. I had COVID in January of 2022 and March of 2022 but felt fine after until June. It is long COVID, at least for me. I was also referred to an RA specialist, but do not have RA. This virus mimics so many other autoimmune diseases and I have run through the gambit of different symptoms. Keep a log of your symptoms and read as much as you can about Long COVID. The doctors, sometimes are not aware or do not really know how to treat it yet. Mine is treating symptoms. Hang in there. There are a lot of people in this group and I would also join the Long COVID group on this site as well. You can read the discussions that have taken place over the last year or so. Lots of information and suggestions.
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3 ReactionsI would suggest a D-Dimmer test if you think you have long COVID or history of blood clots or DVT, most doctors never do it. It just a blood draw.
A D-dimer blood test measures the level of D-dimer, a protein fragment produced when a blood clot dissolves in the body.
This test is used to help rule out the presence of serious blood clots, such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE), which are conditions where a clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the legs, or travels to the lungs, respectively.
It is also used to help diagnose and monitor disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), a serious condition involving abnormal blood clotting throughout the body.
The test is typically ordered when a person has symptoms suggestive of a blood clot, such as leg pain or swelling, sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, or coughing up blood.
A negative D-dimer test result, typically defined as a level below 0.50 mg/L of fibrinogen equivalent units (FEU) or less than 0.5 mcg/mL FEU, indicates that a blood clot is highly unlikely, and further testing may not be necessary, especially when the clinical risk is low.
Conversely, a positive result, meaning a level of 0.50 mg/L or higher, suggests that a clotting disorder may be present, but it cannot confirm the location or type of clot.
It is important to note that a positive D-dimer test can occur for reasons unrelated to blood clots, including pregnancy, recent surgery, infection, inflammation, liver disease, cancer, or advanced age.
Therefore, a positive result usually necessitates further diagnostic testing, such as ultrasound, CT angiography, or other imaging scans, to confirm the presence and location of a clot.
The test requires a blood sample drawn from a vein in the arm and does not require any special preparation, such as fasting
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2 ReactionsI caught Covid in December of 2022 and lost my taste and smell. It’s now August 2025 and I still don’t have it back. Other symptoms that have gotten better are balance issues, stuttering, bad headaches, body tremors, fatigue, brain fog. I still have body tremors if I overextend myself and that was worse until I started getting Stellate Ganglion Block injections. I’ve had 7 and my PTSD/Anxiety is better. I also was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s and Hypothyroidism just before I caught Covid. I’m just a mess! I will be having a brain MRI in September to see if there’s anything going on there. I feel like there’s always something lurking waiting to attack!
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3 ReactionsI developed high ANA post covid too, but anticentromere antibodies. However, I've been diagnosed with diffuse systemic scleroderma (rare with these antibodies- it's usually limited). Was prescribed cellcept, but not taking it for fear past shingles or Lyme diseases will rear their ugly heads. Low Dose Naltrexone has helped soften most of my skin (shoulders, chest, thighs). Only upper arms, hands, feet/ankles still tight, but somewhat even there better. Lots of telangiectasia (mouth, hands, shoulders, chest, thighs), but so far no obvious internal involvement based on PFT and echocardiograms. Yes, I agree it's scary. I'm 60 so late to get this diagnosis. Good luck. I recommend Reddit or Inspire for better communities.
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2 ReactionsThanks so much for commenting! I am so sorry you have been dealing with this although it sounds encouraging that you don't have a formal autoimmune diagnosis. I appreciate the tip to log symptoms and to join the other group. Sending healing wishes!
I am so sorry you have been dealing with all of this! Sending healing wishes your way.
I am so sorry you have been dealing with all of this. It is great to hear that you have had luck with LDN and have not had internal involvement yet. I likely also have diffuse systemic scleroderma: hoping new treatments will be along the way with CAR-T, etc. Sending healing wishes!