ANA patterns

[connie50]

Happy Friday everyone,

An earlier post got me thinking.  How many of you have ANA patterns that match your diagnosis?

I've had my ANA tested 3 times  1:320 homogeneous , 1:160 homogeneous, negative.

From what I have read, homogeneous patterns can be found in some health individuals and SLE.  The last two times I've seem my Rheumy he mentions that I don't have common symptoms or antibodies of Lupus , I always blew if off thinking he was going down the list of possibilities.  Now I'm wondering if he might be thinking in that direction ?

[aussie mum]

Hi Connie,

The following link has an explanation of the various patterns -
http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/ana/tab/test

Apart from when she was first diagnosed with an ANA of 1:2560, my daughter's ANA is always 1:1280 speckled pattern. She has positive SSA and is now positive ANTI-ds DNA.

For years her Dr talked of her SJS, but at her appointments he now talks of her Lupus. I really don't know if it matters much - the diseases are so similar - as long as you get proper care.

Aussie Mum

[mshistory]

My five year old tested positive 1:40 nucleolar; I don't think the patterns are really that telling, because when I looked it up, nucleolar is suggestive of scleroderma and she certainly does not have symptoms suggesting scleroderma! (She does have celiac disease and that, so far, is the only AI diagnosis she has been given... and hopefully the only one!)

My ANA titer has never changed either - it has always been greater than 1:1280 speckled.

[connie50]

Thank you both,

I know it really doesn't matter what the diagnosis might become as long as I am being treated but their is
still a part of me that wants to know.

Earlier this week when I was talking with the nurse about my lab results she mentioned that she used to work in a type of medical office where when the labs came back you either had it or didn't, no grey areas.  She understands the frustration of the elusiveness of autoimmune diseases as she said it took her forever to get used to the possibility of fluctuating lab results...

I need to work on my "go with the flow , it is what it is" attitude.  Autoimmune diseases are just something that can't be predicted and I need to learn that it's going to takes it's course, in it's own sweet time 

I love my body, I love my body, I love my body !

[MaryBee7]

My ANA didn't have any of this ratio info or patterns info.  It just said "Sjogren's 4.5"   Does anyone know why?

[Aquarius]

Hi,

My ANA is 1:1280 speckled, with homogenous pattern also detected.
I have no SS-A or SS-B antibodies.

Homogenous - associated with lupus and mixed connective tissue disease

Speckled - associated with lupus, Sjogren syndrome, scleroderma, polymyositis, rheumatoid arthritis, and mixed connective tissue disease

My sister has lupus.  My late mother and sister had rheumatoid arthritis.  We used to call my Mom the bionic woman due to her many joint replacements. 

I consider Lupus and SJS kissing cousins. 

And while the normals can have a positive ANA, it's my understanding it's more on the low side of positive.

[connie50]

Hi MaryBee7,
I'm new here too and still have much to learn.  Sorry I dont have an answer for you but Im sure someone will come along that can help you out.
Connie

[Byn]

For 20 years nothing showed up in my labs....so there was no diagnosis.... Fibromyalgia and possibly Sjogrens.  One dr. told me about 16 yrs. ago it was Lupus.... but I didn't believe him because there was no lab to confirm it.  Last year I was extremely sick... and the labs came back positive.... they were a borderline positive.  But with all the other symptoms and labs, and the ANA patterns - the doctor diagnosed me with "Undifferencial Connective Tissue Disease".  The ANA was 1:80 with Homogenous and Speckled patterns.  We are treating Lupus and Sjogrens.... and it's working. 

Aussie mum.... your link is GREAT.

[mshistory]

According to that link, 90% of people with Sjogren's are SS-A positive!?

"Between 40% and 70% of those with this condition have a positive ANA test result. While this finding supports the diagnosis, a negative result does not rule it out. The doctor may want to test for two subsets of ANA: Anti-SS-A (Ro) and Anti-SS-B (La). About 90% or more of people with Sj?gren syndrome have autoantibodies to SSA"

That's the first time I've seen that - I usually see something like 50-60% ... ??

[MaryBee7]

For 20 years nothing showed up in my labs....so there was no diagnosis.... Fibromyalgia and possibly Sjogrens.  One dr. told me about 16 yrs. ago it was Lupus.... but I didn't believe him because there was no lab to confirm it.  Last year I was extremely sick... and the labs came back positive.... they were a borderline positive.  But with all the other symptoms and labs, and the ANA patterns - the doctor diagnosed me with "Undifferencial Connective Tissue Disease".  The ANA was 1:80 with Homogenous and Speckled patterns.  We are treating Lupus and Sjogrens.... and it's working. 


Byn, I am so glad to hear that your treatment is working.  What is your treatment?  My rheumy has not told me much of anything, other than "You have Sjogren's"  he didn't explain anything that is discussed here, though I'm on Plaquenil & Imuran (the basics).  I didn't suffer as long as you, though had bouts from my 20's on with episodes of fatigue and severe itching.  Then it would go away.  I wanted to respond especially because you mention being "extremely sick"...it is so comforting to see that I am not alone in this...that phrase is just what has been my life for 5 years.  Thank you and hope you continue to improve!

[Daisy1234]

My ANA pattern has to date always been speckled.  I've been diagnosed with primary Sjs.

[Byn]

For 20 years nothing showed up in my labs....so there was no diagnosis.... Fibromyalgia and possibly Sjogrens.  One dr. told me about 16 yrs. ago it was Lupus.... but I didn't believe him because there was no lab to confirm it.  Last year I was extremely sick... and the labs came back positive.... they were a borderline positive.  But with all the other symptoms and labs, and the ANA patterns - the doctor diagnosed me with "Undifferencial Connective Tissue Disease".  The ANA was 1:80 with Homogenous and Speckled patterns.  We are treating Lupus and Sjogrens.... and it's working. 


Byn, I am so glad to hear that your treatment is working.  What is your treatment?  My rheumy has not told me much of anything, other than "You have Sjogren's"  he didn't explain anything that is discussed here, though I'm on Plaquenil & Imuran (the basics).  I didn't suffer as long as you, though had bouts from my 20's on with episodes of fatigue and severe itching.  Then it would go away.  I wanted to respond especially because you mention being "extremely sick"...it is so comforting to see that I am not alone in this...that phrase is just what has been my life for 5 years.  Thank you and hope you continue to improve!

MaryBee7, I am taking Plaquenil and a low dose of Doxipen ... the Doxipen is actually an anti-depressant, but also helps with itching when taken in a low dose.  I also take Prilosec with Magnesium for my acid reflux.  I honestly think the magnesium helps with all my meds, not just the Prilosec.  It is my understanding that Magnesium help the medicine absorb into the body.
I am still VERY fatigued.  I have been forced to listen to my body.  If I get too tired, I pay for it for days.  So I try to do ONE thing everyday.  If I can do 2 things - then I am having a very good day - but will have to rest the next day or 2.  The sun is my enemy and I have no choice but to stay out of it.  I also try to stay cool.... too cold is much better than too warm (for me).
When I say it is working, I mean that I am able to get out of bed and at least cook dinner 2 or 3 times a week.... or go to the grocery store.  Lately I have been able to enjoy going places with my husband (a rare treat until recently).  My husband drove me to Dallas and Oklahoma 2 weeks ago for a long weekend to see my kids and grandkids.  I haven't been able to make that trip in a year.  I'm not where I should be yet, but I'm getting there.  One baby step at a time.