Positive ANA, should I worry?

[Heather]

Two years ago I had a lip biopsy and bloodwork for Sjogrens. It both came back negative. A few months later I got diagnosed with CFS, but Sjogrens has been never out of my head. Recently I did have my blood checked and now my ANA came back positive 1 :160. No mentioning of a pattern en ds-DNA and ENA were negative. Does this mean anything and should I worry?
Sorry for my English but I like this forum the most of all because you are
BTW: My Schirmer was 5 and 7.

[Babs659]

Hi!  1:160 is a low positive.  I wouldn't worry too much. 

[mshistory]

"Even healthy persons can have a positive ANA test at lower titers. About 25% to 30% of healthy persons have a positive test with a titer of 1 : 40, 10% to 15% at a titer of 1 : 80, and 5% at a titer of 1 : 160 or greater. The frequency increases with age, particularly in women. ANA titer of 1 : 40 is seen in 25% to 30% of relatives of patients with rheumatologic disorders."

http://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/medicalpubs/diseasemanagement/rheumatology/laboratory-evaluation-rheumatic-diseases/

Considering you have symptoms of AI disease, I think a positive ANA should be looked into. Have they tested you for any other specific antibodies like SS-A, SS-B, rheumatoid factor, etc.?

[lolo1979]

I do not want you to *worry*, first off!  However, my ANA has fluctuated between 1:160 and 1:80, with negative SS-A, SS-B and RF tests, but I still have all the symptoms and have been diagnosed.  The ANA should be a flag, but not the be all, end all. Diagnosis should really be based on symptoms.  If you are having the symptoms AND you have the + ANA, then you could be heading toward a diagnosis.

If all you have is the + ANA, but no corresponding symptoms, then it is just something to keep an eye on in the future.