What can cause ANA titre of 1:2560?

It doesn't sound like any type of hepatitis in my opinion.

I was in the same situation with you, having an ANA of 1:2560 and many of the same symptoms. It took 13 years for me finally to be diagnosed. In fact the criteria for scleroderma had to be changed (in about 2012) by an international consortium of scleroderma docs before my "Sine" variant of the disease could even be recognized. Even today many rheumatologists are unaware of the revision of the criteria for scleroderma.

Unfortunately in 2017, when you wrote, many rheumatologists were still not testing for the anticentromere B antibodies. And as for the ANA staining pattern, for years my "anticentromere staining pattern" was erroneously reported as a "speckled pattern."

When it finally was reported as an "anticentromere staining pattern" in 2003, I asked the rheumatologist for an anticentromere b blood test to confirm it, but the doc refused, saying, "You don't LOOK like you have scletoderma!" He then left to go work in another state.

It wasn't until my neurologist (yes, I was trying to find out why I had all of the pins and needles) witnessed me have an attack of Raynaud's in his chilly office, that I convinced HIM to order an anticentromere B test. It was highly positive.

I had the severe fatigue, the gastric reflux that can ultimately cause scarring in the esophagus with difficult swallowing. I had had recurrent cystitis for years. I had developed permanently puffy fingers, and huffing and puffing with exertion. I had shoulder problems and tendonitis here and there all over my body. And the rare attacks of Raynaud's. I had constipation, alternating with diarrhea, and bloating, and flatulence. Eventually even my kidney function became slightly impaired. The antibodies also attacked my thyroid, causing me hypothyroidism, weight gain, and obstructive sleep apnea and sleep problems. My eyes are very, very dry. A few years ago the antibodies even attacked my eyes irises, causing acute bilateral iritis that took months to resolve with prednisone eye drops.

At some point I decided to do a web search for "1:2560" and the only authoritative research articles listing ANA that high were about cases of scleroderma or lupus. In lupus the complement gets suppressed and is low, whereas in scleroderma the complement runs high. Mine was high.

Finally, I got to a Scleroderma Center at a major university hospital, and was diagnosed with what is now being called systemic sclerosis sine scleroderma. It's sleroderma, but without the hard skin. Four years later I went to a second Scleroderma Center, and the diagnosis was the same.

Along with this autoimmune disease I have elevated anticardiolipin antibodies which can cause blood clots, so I have been told to take an enteric coated baby aspirin daily.

My fatigue stems from the fact that it has affected both my heart and lungs. The echocardiogram, and a left heart catheterization revealed left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, basically a non-hypertrophic stiffening of the heart muscle. In the lungs, the pulmonary function tests revealed a reduction in lung diffusion (reduced DLCO) which is also typical for scleroderma.

The GI symptoms are also typical for scleroderma. It stiffens the gut slowing the passage of gut contents. So at first you have constipation, but eventually small bowel bacterial overgrowth which changes things to diarrhea with also the bloating and flatulence. So it tends to alternate between constipation and diarrhea.

The docs at these scleroderma centers both did nailfold capillaroscopy on me and confirmed I had some capillary changes "typical of scleroderma."

I think you should ask for an anticenromere B test if you are not absolutely certain whether you have had one.

I’m super late but currently my ana is 1:2560 I have sle, Sjögren’s syndrome. I was diagnosed in 2013 it took 2 years of being sick until death to confirm diagnosis

@carpe_bean and @katk Good evening. I’m answering to both of you because you both seem to be in the same “nebulous” world of ‘doesn’t anyone know anything?” Have you tried seeing a rheumatologist? They are the ones specially educated in autoimmune diseases. Especially the newer doctors. You may need to go to a major medical center or university hospital. When I first started getting sick, the doctors simply thought I was dehydrated. When I was VERY sick, I was asking for an MRI, which they finally did. But, none of them were able to interpret what the MRI showed. The films were sent to the nearest university, where a diagnosis was made.
Make a list of your symptoms, most to least bothersome. Then keep track of how often they happen, what you were doing, if you ate anything different. You want to clarify , for yourself and for doctors you see, all your problems and how they are affecting your life. Advocate for yourself!
Think you can do this?

Hello,
I’m in a similar boat. I have been through a lot and I’m still looking for answers after years of dealing with debilitating pain. I have many dx’s; however, I’m still looking for answers for the unexplained issues and constant pain I’ve felt all my life every day of my life and it’s only getting worse and more symptoms are adding on, which is overwhelming to the point I want to give up.

Anyway, I am so truly sorry to hear of your struggles. I do hope you get answers soon! I was thinking in regards to your health, have the doctor’s considered testing you for Cushing's disease, or looking for a tumor outside the pituitary gland or Congenital adrenal hyperplasia?
Just some thoughts based on your adrenaline spikes and irregularities.
I hope this is helpful. Maybe they have but who knows, I wanted to pass it along just in case.
Please take care and feel better love. I know it’s so difficult to stay positive, believe me I really know this from experience, but do try. The brain is powerful and believes what you tell it. 🙂 Keep that in mind. Have a wonderful day. Hugs!!!

Kat ❤️

Welcome @sandrasii, Thanks for sharing your experience. I am a believer of the old quote: “Every time you eat or drink, You are either feeding disease or You are fighting it. The choice is Yours.”. Do you mind sharing what made you decide to get the Paleo diet a try?

I have the same ANA 2560 as you, diagnosed as autoimmune disease. I have minimal symptoms or no symptoms since I started my new lifestyle and avoid foods based on this book for the past 4 years. Hope this is a helpful resources for you.

Hi @dxcrestsyndrome2020

It's been so long since I first got sick (six years now), I no longer remember what they tested exactly.

I do know the doctor who tested for ANAs initially also tested for several other antibodies, but I'm not sure exactly which ones and they were all negative. The only test results that were consistently high were liver enzymes (AST, ALT, and gGT), blood pressure (at times over 200 systolic when I'd always previously had pretty low BP), and ANAs. They first tested for ANAs in April 2017 with results of 1:2560 “Mitotic II” pattern. The doctor said it must be an error so he re-tested two months later and the titer was 1:1280+ with “fine speckled” pattern. Do you know what type of ANA pattern you tested positive for?

I never did get a diagnosis, nor have I actually seen a doctor in years. My health gradually started to improve after the first couple of years and has continued to improve with time, gradual return to exercise, and a careful diet. At some point I made the decision not to try to find "answers" or get a diagnosis.

I'm glad to hear that turmeric has helped for you. Hopefully your road will be smooth from here on out!

Hello @dxcrestsyndrome2020, Welcome to Connect. I'm glad you found us. I don't have any personal experience but you are not alone and there are others who can share their experiences with you. You might want to join the following discussion to learn what others have found helpful:

-- Limited Scleroderma or CREST Syndrome: What helps?:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/crest-syndrome/

Hi! I found this website by entering in my ANA result which is the same as yours. I have officially been dx’d with Crest Syndrome, now referred to as Limited Scleroderma. Have they tested you for your Anti-Centromere B antibody result? Have you been able to figure out your issue yet?

I have not read all the comments or really any of them yet in depth but I did glance quickly, and saw the word “turmeric” in a few of the responses. I am taking turmeric in a capsule form for inflammation. Very helpful.
I hope you are able to figure out your auto immune issue. It’s been a long road for me…

@foyk Definitely don't apologize for the rant. Rant away! I've definitely been there, and it sounds like my symptoms weren't nearly as severe as all you've suffered. I hope you've been able to get some relief since your last post.