Here are some excerpts from a longer article found in the 1st thread
Lupus Resources said...
- A titer above 1:80 is usually considered positive.
- The speckled pattern is found in SLE and other connective tissue diseases
Because the ANA is positive in so many conditions, the results of the ANA test have to be interpreted in light of the person's medical history, as well as his or her clinical symptoms. Thus, a positive ANA alone is never enough to diagnose lupus. On the other hand, a negative ANA argues against lupus but does not rule out the disease completely.
A Positive ANA Does Not Equate to Having a Disease
The ANA should be looked at as a screening test. If it is positive in a person who is not feeling well and who has other symptoms or signs of lupus, the physician will probably want to conduct further tests for lupus.
If the ANA is positive in a person who is feeling well and in whom there are no other signs of lupus, it can be ignored. If there is any doubt, a consultation with a rheumatologist should clarify the situation.
If the colitis specialist thinks the ANA is not related to colitis, it might be a good idea to see a rheumotologist -- they're the lupus (and auto-immune disease) experts.
Hope that helps,