Anti Nuclear Antibodies?

[jeblondon]

Hi there - anyone able to give me an easily understandable explanation as to why mine are being re-tested again and what it means that the test come out 'positive' each time?
Cheers
J x

[AR-10]

"ANAs are found in patients whose immune system may be predisposed to cause inflammation against their own body tissues. Antibodies that are directed against one's own tissues are referred to as auto-antibodies. The propensity for the immune system to work against its own body is referred to as autoimmunity. ANAs indicate the possible presence of autoimmunity and provide, therefore, an indication for doctors to consider the possibility of autoimmune illness."

A quote from here;

http://www.medicinenet.com/antinuclear_antibody/article.htm

ANA antibodies can be found in several autoimmune disorders. Autoimmune thyroid disease, Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and many others.

Not sure why your's is being re-tested. Maybe they want to see if the level is changing to help them decide whether they want to dig deeper than your thyroid looking for something.

It's also a cancer marker. If you had a partial thyroidectomy because of cancer they may be trying to use it as a gauge rather than the tests they would run if you had a TT with RAI afterward. That's just a guess, because I am not familiar with post-cancer screening of a lobectomy.

[jeblondon]

You are a star - as always!
Lupus was mentioned at one point - but I think they ruled that out.  Even now I am on Thyroxine I still feel lousy.  I wonder if/when it will kick in - am in to my third week.  I started on 50mcgs but got terrible heart palps - dose lowered to 25 and I feel fine but just no improvement yet in my symptoms.
hey ho - on we go..............
J x