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Positive ANA result and UC

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Posted 5/20/2009 11:27 AM (GMT 0)
Back a few weeks ago I had to visit my gastro doctor due to elevated liver enzymes to be retested. They were normal this time, however, I had a positive ANA result showing 1:160 homogeneous titer, which upon reading, all I've seen that it signifies disease wise is lupus. This rate was considered moderate in range. If it had been another type like speckled is significant of lupus but other autoimmune disorders also, like rheumatoid arthritis, etc. Could UC cause this? Or the medicine I am on for the UC? Thanks.
Posted 5/20/2009 11:31 AM (GMT 0)
I've heard conflicting info on a positive ANA. I also have a positive ANA and my primary sent me to a rheumy and the rheumy said that because I have Uc I might have a positive ANA. But yet some people from the arthritis forum say that Uc does not cause a positve ANA. So I'm at a loss too! LOL
Posted 5/20/2009 1:29 PM (GMT 0)
Well, I agree with you, LOL. How would someone on the arthritis forum know UC does not cause a positive ANA result. Do they have UC also? I've read UC can cause a positive ANA but there are different patterns that are related to different autoimmune disorders. And unfortunately the homogeneous pattern like mine shows to be strictly caused by Lupus. Red, do you know what type of pattern yours was? Whether it was homogeneous, or speckled, etc? They are going to retest me in August for that. It sure scares me because I know someone that had Lupus and she went down hill and ended up having to have kidney dialysis every week and eventually died.


Posted 5/20/2009 2:12 PM (GMT 0)
I'd advise you to be retested. I had a positive ANA and was told I had Raynaud's phenomenon. Then I saw my GP who said the results showed a very low positive and reran the test. It came back negative the next time. From the research I've done, it looks like having UC could give you a positive. If you're not experiencing symptoms of RA or lupus, I'd try not to be too concerned about it.
Posted 5/20/2009 2:21 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not sure what pattern mine was. I didn't even know such pattern existed! LOL But my primary did say that my ANA was rather high whatever that means. And yes, it was some of the Uc'ers that also frequent the arthritis board told me that Uc doesn't cause a high ANA reading. But when I asked on here, the majority of people said yes that it can. Regarding Lupus; this is a dangerous condition but by no means does it mean that it's a death sentence. Some people have a mild form of it and have only minor complications. It's just another thing that has to be monitored closely.

Regarding what Princesa said, I DO have both Lupus and RA related symptoms. I only have some of the Lupus symptoms (rashes, light sensitivity and Raynauds) and I am just beginning to get RA symptoms (not sure if this IS what I have though). But I've had numerous Lupus tests and they all came out negative as well as the tests for RA. I am just in a holding pattern right now because I know something is going on, but I just don't know what yet.
Posted 5/20/2009 3:40 PM (GMT 0)
We are in a similar boat, and I hope we can keep in touch in this. My daughter's ANA is at 640, which is one "level" up from 320. They just figured out that she was already at 320 before the Remi. in October, but now it is going up a bit. She also has protein in her urine. Rhumey visit last week. She is ordering up more definitive tests for Lupus, which she would consider Drug induced Lupus, but is not sure, as my daughter is only exhibiting a few of the signs. Both GI and Rhumey doc. said that UC can alone cause elevated ANA, or maybe daughter had/has another condition--even Mono( as if we could tell, she is so tired anyway). Test are on for June10, when the next infusion is scheduled. Afraid of this one, as the Remi is working so well. Would hate to turn on the gene for Lupus, and deal with another autoimmune disorder forever. Will look into the speckled/non issue. There are lots of tests for Lupus, and not too many that are definitive.
Please keep me posted, and I will do the same.
Kathy
Posted 5/20/2009 6:00 PM (GMT 0)

Red_34 said...
I'm not sure what pattern mine was. I didn't even know such pattern existed! LOL But my primary did say that my ANA was rather high whatever that means. And yes, it was some of the Uc'ers that also frequent the arthritis board told me that Uc doesn't cause a high ANA reading. But when I asked on here, the majority of people said yes that it can. Regarding Lupus; this is a dangerous condition but by no means does it mean that it's a death sentence. Some people have a mild form of it and have only minor complications. It's just another thing that has to be monitored closely.

Regarding what Princesa said, I DO have both Lupus and RA related symptoms. I only have some of the Lupus symptoms (rashes, light sensitivity and Raynauds) and I am just beginning to get RA symptoms (not sure if this IS what I have though). But I've had numerous Lupus tests and they all came out negative as well as the tests for RA. I am just in a holding pattern right now because I know something is going on, but I just don't know what yet.

Hey Red, if you do a web search for the Lupus Foundation it will explain the different patterns associated with autoimmune disorders, not only on there but other sites as well. The only things I have going on are elbow and knee pain, cramping calves, and tiredness. But that can be symptoms of UC as well where the elbow and knee pain are concerned.
Posted 5/20/2009 7:32 PM (GMT 0)
Here's an interesting article about the pitfalls of the ANA test:

http://autoimmunedisease.suite101.com/article.cfm/theanatesttoday
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