Need assistance with my ANA Test Results

[miss0209]

I just received my results from lab work my doctor requested I complete although she never told me what labs were being ordered and I am very curious as I just received the results. I won't be able to see her for several weeks. The Nuclear AB result and reference range are negative however in the Interpretation box it goes into details with percentages that I do not understand. In the last several years I have found myself really exhausted, memory loss, concentration problems, preterm labor with my youngest. My lower back, neck, and ankles hurt. I get pain down my left arm with my fingers tingling. The results show below:

Autoantibody Disease Association Condition Frequency

Antinuclear Antibody, SLE, Mixed connective Direct (ANA-D) tissue diseases dsDNA SLE 40-60%, Chromatin Drug-induced SLE 90% SLE 48-97%,SSA (Ro) SLE 25-35%, Sjogren's Syndrome 40-70%, Neonatal Lupus- 100%, SSB (La) SLE 10% Sjogren's Syndrome 30%, RNP mixed Connective Tissue Disease 95% (U1 nRNP, SLE 30-50% antiribonucleoprotein), Polymyositis and/or Dermatomyositis 20%, SCL-70 (antiDNA Scleroderma (diffuse) 20-35% topoisomerase) Crest 13%, Jo-1 Polymyositis and/or Dermatomyositis 20-40%, Centromer B Scieroderma-Crest variant 80%, Ribosomal P SLE 10-20%

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated

[Red_Star]

I had a negative ANA and I have four autoimmune diseases but they are all non-rheumatic. ANA results are most useful for a diagnosis of rheumatic diseases such as Lupus or MCTD.

I had many of your symptoms myself due to autoimmune pernicious anaemia (unable to absorb vitamin B12). I take sublingual B12 spray daily to bypass the gut. With your memory loss, concentration issues, tingling and exhaustion this deficiency is on the suspect list. You may want to triall sublingual B12 spray to see if you feel better. My memory issues improved in around a month after starting B12.  Of interest, I found this as well...

"Vitamin B12 (B12)-deficiency in pregnancy is prevalent, and has been associated with lower birth weight (birth weight <2,500 g) and preterm birth (length of gestation <37 weeks)."*

*Maternal vitamin B12 in pregnancy and risk of preterm birth and low birth weight: A systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis Am J Epidemiol. 2017 Feb 1; 185(3): 212–223.

[TheLightSeeker]

The negative ANA results means that the condition you are being tested for has not been found, regardless of the Autoantibody Disease Association Condition Frequency details.

If you were being tested for SLE, you must meet the minimum criteria for its diagnosis ( 4 min. out 11 criteria).

These tests are very complicated  and  the methods conducting the tests and their interpretation has been a huge topic of study and discussion for decades.

The interesting thing that I find is the great debate between specificity and  sensitivity in these tests, in which they cannot be both 100%

While you're waiting for your appointment, you can start taking steps on your own, like elimination diet starting with gluten/wheat, hypothyroid self- test (search for Dr Barnes basal temperature test) and also anything to help rebalance your immune system.

Best wishes,
Niko