ANA Question

[lynnmarie219]

After reading someones post here about the ANA lab test, I came up with a quesiotn that I cant seem to find the answer to....

What exactly does it mean when they say the results were homogenous or speckled? Mine was homogenous, but it seems like most others here were speckled. My ANA was 1:640 (Homogenous) and Positive for SSB only.


Just wondering....my curious mind wants to know!     

[Linda196]

There are four ways the cells in the ANA specimen can be arranged, homogeneous is an all over even pattern, speckled means they are arranged in clumps or speckles. The other two are nucleolar and peripheral, but I'm not certain if that means the cells are placed in the center of the specimen or around the edge, or the cells themselves have a clump in the middle or around the edge.

Different diseases more commonly show different patterns, and the speckled one is the most often identified with SjS, but that's not carved in stone.

[Epson]

If you google and request images, it will show you the different patterns that show up in ANA under magnification and will explain how different patterns can be an indicator of different disorders.  Don't be envious mine  are speckled and more attractive then the homogeneous ANA

[lynnmarie219]

Thanks so much Linda and Epson...that explains it to me!

And yes...Epson...I did look up the images....and I'm very ashamed to admit it and say...I am a little envious that your speckled ANA is more attractive than my homogeneous ANA.... !

[Lesleybird]

  You know I read that SSA can be by itself, but that SSB cannot be alone and is always with SSA.  Do you think that there is a mix up and you or the lab or doctor's have it turned around and that it could all be in SSA instead? Anyone with any thoughts or info on this? Read this in my lupus book.        Lesley

[lynnmarie219]

I know there are others here with positive SSB and negative SSA....and that's how it is stated in the lab report that I have a copy of in my records.

Lab results are a strange thing...... 

[TerriJ]

My pattern is speckled.  My SSA (that's Anti Ro correct?) is positive and SSB negative.

Terri

[Lesleybird]

  I'm a speckled Ro only (SSA) type of gal myself.....  Lesley

[Rhonda]

I have speckled and homogenous.  Rheumy says it is SJS only though.  Sometimes I wonder though because I feel awful most of the time!

[Babs659]

Anyone else have very high ANA but everything else negative??

[lynnmarie219]

Our ANA descriptions are turning into a fashion statement here..."I'm speckled"...."I'm homogeneous"!

How funny is that?

[dbab]

I've never been told my pattern...odd

[lynnmarie219]

dbab,

It usually appears right on the lab report...do you have a copy of your ANA lab tests?

It will usually tell you if its positive or negative.what the number is (1:some number), and how the pattern looks (speckled or homogeneous). If you have a copy...take a look...if not....you can ask your doctor for a copy of it!

[dbab]

hmmm,  mine was an ANA Direct test so maybe that's why.  Its just positive  at 463.  I wonder if they even look at the pattern on that test.  I'll ask my doc at my next rheumy appt.

[kim31072]

I have been speckled and homogeneous.Here is another site that I really liked and found helpful.The patterns (as Linda said)help the docs to further determine which illnesses they can be dealing with.

http://www.labodia.com/en/ana/Atlas/index.htm

hope it helps