Ana Levels- Anyone Know What Is Normal/high? Posted: 07-28-04 21:58pm
Hi, I just got a copy of my two most
recent blood tests. The first one
reports and ana titer of 1:320. I had a
second test 6 weeks later, and the level
jumped to 1:1280. I have yet to be
diagnosed with anything, but my symptoms
include severe hives (very itchy!!),
occasional swelling in my feet, ankles,
hands, lips, and eye area, and tiredness.
I have no idea what a normal level of ana
is, or if this level is even an issue.
Any ideas??
I'm not an expert and by all means call
your doctor or a med service that can
answer this question much better than I
can. One of the hospitals here has an
"ask a nurse" call in number. You just
call them up and ask them questions.
They can tell you if you need to see a doc
for more info, but on most questions they
provide some pretty darn solid
information.
Anyway, as I understand it, the ana test
numbers depend on what type of test it is
and how the numbers are reported. I'd
just encourage you to call your doc and
talk to him/her or whichever nurse in the
office is most likely to answer your
question thoroughly and patiently.
Sometimes I feel like i'm beating this one
nurse over the head to get any info.
Ignorance is not bliss and it's my test,
so please explain it without making me
feel like a goober!!!
Ana is a pretty important number in
helping to diagnose lupus, but there is no
one test that determines the diagnosis.
It's just an important test on the way to
finding an answer. Keep plugging away!
Good luck!!
|
LadyBrannon
Active User, Really EHEALTHy
Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Posts: 506 Location: TX
Posted: 08-02-04 20:32pm
Welcome!
most doctors consider, in my experience,
1:160 a postive ana. You can also, from
there, have different patterns on your
results (speckled, smooth, etc.)
www.Lupus.Org has a
nice write up on ana and the possible
results, as well as other tests they use
to diagnose or rule out lupus.
