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Posted 8/22/2011 5:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hey guys. I have recently had almost every blood test done imaginable (for a clinicial trial) and just got my labs from it back a few days ago. And I kid you not about every blood test...they took 23 tubes of blood!!!! The thing I noticed is my ANA changed from the speckeled pattern to the homogeneous pattern. I haven't been able to find out very much information about ANA's changing patterns. This was something new to me and just wanted to learn more about what causes the change!!!
Posted 8/22/2011 6:01 PM (GMT 0)
From what I've read the pattern can change just like the titers can change.

This is a quote from the "Scleroderma Voice," 2002 Issue #1

"Both the pattern and the titer (concentration) may change, and certain patterns are indicative of specific autoimmune diseases."

Posted 8/22/2011 8:34 PM (GMT 0)
There is good info about the patterns in the Lupus Resources sticky at the top of the page. Never heard of it changing, though!
Posted 8/22/2011 8:35 PM (GMT 0)
* The pattern of the ANA test can sometimes be helpful in determining which autoimmune disease is present and which treatment program is appropriate.
- The homogeneous, or smooth pattern is found in a variety of connective tissue diseases, as well as in people taking particular drugs, such as certain antiarrhythmics, anticonvulsants or antihypertensives.
- This homogenous pattern is also the one most commonly seen in healthy individuals who have positive ANA tests.
- The speckled pattern is found in SLE and other connective tissue diseases
- The peripheral, or rim pattern is found almost exclusively in SLE.
- The nucleolar pattern, with a few large spots, is found primarily in people who have scleroderma.
Posted 8/23/2011 3:18 AM (GMT 0)

I'm wondering if the pattern changes have anything to do with different labs?  That said, from the same lab I have had different patterns show up over the course of a year or so, and one time they indicated two patterns simultaneously....around the time my ANA was :1280.   The rheumatologist didn't so much as raise an eyebrow.

Would love to hear any explanations.....

Posted 8/26/2011 11:58 PM (GMT 0)
okay, something else i was thinking and don't understand when i read. what is the difference between a postive ANA of 1:320 or a negative ANA of 1:320???
Posted 8/27/2011 12:20 AM (GMT 0)
Positive ANA generally means non-zero. Negative ANA generally means zero. I think some drs or labs call things positive/negative on some floating criteria that they just make up!!!
Posted 8/27/2011 2:22 AM (GMT 0)
Ok! That makes since. Maybe this is why I think I am losing my mind!!! Thanks Lynn!
Posted 8/15/2019 6:28 AM (GMT 0)
I just recently experienced this change happening. Started with ANA 1:60 Speckled. 3 months later re-ran ANA 1:40 Homgenous. And my RH factor went down a bit, but still elevated. I'm confused too! None of the other test on th Lupus 12 panel is positive. Now all my symptoms have diminished or disappeared in that time frame, especially the joint issues. I've been on an antiviral protocol and wondering if the changes have to do with it working.
Posted 10/5/2020 1:53 PM (GMT 0)
Miss Darling - can you share what your antiviral protocol is? That is great news that your joint issues are better!
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