My ANA level is high? Indicating Lupus?!
Question: I just received information from my blood test, and the only thing they found wrong is my ANA is high--1:80. My doctor wants me to see a rheumatologist, and suggested it could possibly be lupus. Can anyone tell me about lupus, or any other conditions associated with a high ANA?
Thank you
Answers: I just received information from my blood test, and the only thing they found wrong is my ANA is high--1:80. My doctor wants me to see a rheumatologist, and suggested it could possibly be lupus. Can anyone tell me about lupus, or any other conditions associated with a high ANA?
Thank you
Hi, there are many websites with responsible information about lupus. The best advice was given to you by your doctor. You need to make an appt. w/a Rheumatologist. A high ANA count is only one symptom of lupus and you need to be counseled and assessed about the rest. There is a group on Yahoo groups "lupusohana" that just posted the American College of Rheumatology listing of Basic symptoms that may help give you an idea.
Lupus patients also have many overlapping conditions like arthrits and fibromyalgia. Pain, fatigue - chronic illness is not something that is easily understood by most.
On the up side, there are many people that manage quite well and are fine. That's why there are support groups. Patients are on both sides of the spectrum and in between need support.
You are not even close to being diagnosed yet, but it's great that you are learning about your possibilities. Don't be depressed or jump to conclusions. Just visit the Rheum and have your tests done. There are more that need to be done.
Good luck and we are here for you. :)
I've had the same thing happen to me. Unfortunately, you can't really be diagnosed with lupus. Lupus is usually diagnosed after years of the same symtoms associated with lupus. Does that make sense? It's kind of like a default diagnosis, for lack of a better term. A high ANA can indicate lupus, but that only means that it COULD be lupus. There is no real diagnostic test that can positively say you positively have lupus. Lots of times you can have a false-positive result, so don't get too concerned just yet.
Although I still don't have a certain lupus diagnosis, it turns out my last hospital stay was caused by EBV. So don't worry too much about your ANA just yet. Good luck!