Understanding Ana Results Posted: 05-29-07 10:55am
Can you tell me how to read an ANA result?
My 9 year old son has just had a result
of 1/160, which last year read 1/80, and I
would like to know more about what this
means. Thank you.
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bazn
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 02 Jun 2007 Posts: 13
Posted: 07-10-07 17:15pm
the higher the bottom number, the higher
the amount of ANA in the blood
normally, most people have an ANA titre of
1/40 or below. your son therefore has a
raised ANA. However, this may or may not
be significant.
raised ANA can be found in many diseases
such as rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's
syndrome, scleroderma, lupus, and some
viral infections
however, just because ANA is raised, it
doesnt mean he has any of these. in fact
upto 5% of the general population have a
positive ANA test.
hypothetically, think of it as something
like a choleserol test. high cholesterol
is found in people with heart disease BUT
just because someone has raised
cholesterol, that does not necessarily
mean they have any disease
however it is worth keeping an eye on it.
does he have any health problems
(particularly joint or skin problems)?
