Positive ANA

[addicted2harleys]

I have had this test many, many times and it always comes out negative...until now.  When I went to see a neuro-ophthalmologist, on top of the many eye tests he did, he also has me get a blood test.  I just got a call from them telling me I had a positive ANA test.  I had them fax the results to me and this is what it says:

Autoimmune Serology.    In range    Out of range.    Units.      Reference range
   ANA.                                             1:640 H.                           <1:80

         ANA pattern is speckled.  

   Centromere.                 Negative.                                            Negative
   DSDNA.                       Negative.                                            Negative
   C3.                                  154.7.                           mg/dL.        85-180
   C4.                                    28.1.                           mg/dL.        16-47
   Smith AB.                     Negative.                                            Negative
   RNP AB.                      Negative.                                             Negative
  
   SSA (RO).                    Negative.                                             Negative
   SSB (LA).                     Negative.                                             Negative
   JO-1 AB.                      Negative.                                             Negative
   Scleroderma AB.           Negative                                              Negative
   RF.                                   8.9.                               IU/mL.         0.0-20.0

Does anyone have any thoughts or impressions about these results?  Remember, I have severe dry eye.  Thanks for any help on this!

Hugs,
Addi

[RedFlame]

interesting development Addi.  The plot thickens.........

Red

[addicted2harleys]

Lulu - I have not had a lip biopsy done.  I am thinking it might not be a bad idea though.  Thanks for this link, too.  I will go check it out, as well.  Thanks a lot, Lu.    

Melissa - Thank you for sharing the info you know, too.  I am gonna go check out that site...

Hugs,
Addi

[madmelissa]

lol - Lulu was posting her mayo link while I was typing my message! This is a good link, Lulu!

Melissa

[madmelissa]

I believe that mixed connective tissue disease is a combination, in some formation, of RA, lupus and scleroderma (at least 2 of the 3). It can also include any of the other connective tissue auto-immune diseases, including Sjogrens. The info I have read is not always consistent as to what makes up a diagnosis MCT disease. There is a lot of info out there if you google it. Just take it with a grain of salt due to the inconsistent info like I said.

Melissa

[Lulu54]

Mayo has a good explanation of mixed connective disease

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mixed-connective-tissue-disease/DS00675/DSECTION=symptoms

the Sjogren's features sure jumped at me, too.  Have you been tested through a lip biopsy?

[addicted2harleys]

When they called me just a bit ago with the results, she said she would like to refer me to rheumatology, either there at USC or somewhere closer, if I would like.  I told her I was moving to AZ and she said to make sure I go see a rheumotologist when I get to AZ and take the lab results with me.  That was all that was said.  

Yes, I remember about having more than one autoimmune disease going on.  I do find this interesting because Sjogrens seems to keep popping up in front of my face.  Maybe i really should consider getting a lip biopsy done to just rule in or out and be done with it.  

I will go check out the site you gave.  Thanks, Lulu.  What is mixed connective tissue disease?

Addi

[Lulu54]

From my favorite website for understanding labs, it does a good job of explaining these results ......

http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/ana/test.html

"Speckled - associated with SLE, Sjogren's syndrome, scleroderma, polymyositis, rheumatoid arthritis, and mixed connective tissue disease"


Don't forget Addi that you can always have more than one autoimmune disease going on ......

When do you talk to the doctor about these results?

Lulu