HomeAnswersRheumatologyana testPlease give your opinion about my ANA report.

I am worried about my ANA report. Please guide me.

Share

The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

iCliniq medical review team

Published At November 16, 2016
Reviewed AtJuly 11, 2023

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I have had a positive ANA for at least 12 years with no other positive tests for autoimmune disease. My other symptoms are fatigue and some joint pain in my hands and knees. Recently, I had a positive ANA of 1:640 speckled pattern with a note saying dense fine speckled pattern is noted. DNA antibody and Smith are negative at that time. Slightly elevated C3 of 186 and normal C4. The only other thing that is out of range was a CRP of 6.6. I am hypothyroid and on 75 mcg of Levoxyl with my TSH being in range. The latest test was 4.62 up from 2.95 (four months ago). The ANA cascading reflex result was negative. Does that result mean that the ANA itself was negative? Or the antibody subtlest that is carried out if ANA is positive. I am trying to determine if the subtlest were actually performed or if they were not. I find it hard to believe that my ANA would have been negative at this point.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

You are fine. Please do not worry as nearly all your reports are fine (attachment removed to protect patient identity) and you are taking the correct medicines also. As per your ANA (antinuclear antibody) with dense speckled patterns is noted, I must say that there are many false positives in the report as even in 20 % to 25 % of patients this is a false positive, and the most important thing is we have to treat you and not the reports. CRP (C-reactive protein) is an acute phase reactant that increased in response to the activity of the disease and becomes normal when activity comes down. So, repeat the test after a month. Till then, I suggest Wysolone 20 mg (Prednisolone) daily after food for 10 days along with other medicines. Consult your specialist doctor, discuss with him or her, and take the medicine with consent.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you for your reply. I have read that the dense fine speckled pattern can actually make it unlikely that I do have a systemic autoimmune disease. Could this be caused by Hashimoto's disease since I am hypothyroid?

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Systemic lupus erythematosus - SLE cannot be there as you told me anti-DNA is negative. Now, for Hashimoto's disease, there are many clinical symptoms other than fatigue like hair loss, unexplained weight gain, sensitivity to cold, and dryness. If you want to confirm, then we can go for anti-TPO antibodies to have a look. You are a subclinical hypothyroid, so let us have the report and then follow up. Do not worry.

Thank you.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Kusumakar Srivastava
Dr. Kusumakar Srivastava

Diabetology

Community Banner Mobile
By subscribing, I agree to iCliniq's Terms & Privacy Policy.

Ask your health query to a doctor online

Rheumatology

*guaranteed answer within 4 hours

Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. iCliniq privacy policy