I just picked up a copy of my recent lab results from my primary care doctor. My ANA is still elevated, 2.24 OD ratio (the lab's reference range is <0.90 is normal). However, my RA factor shows up as 28 IU/ML (reference range for this lab is 0-37 normal). I did some research on the net and a lot of lab websites show anything >20 as positive for RA or lupus. I have been struggling for 6 years now trying to get diagnosed with either lupus or RA (my symptoms point more to lupus). Does anyone think this might help me at all? Any help is greatly appreciated!!

Mygrils, Has your dr. run the full gamut of specific autoantibody tests in addition to ANA & RF? e.g., Dr. Wallace lists 16 (!) in his hardcover, including such things as ds-DNA, Sm, RNP, antihistone, antiphospholipid, Ro, La, antiribosomal P, antineuronal, ETC., ETC... Are you seeing this wide range of tests being performed?

Another thought--I had loads of rashes & thus multiple biopsies. My city dermie re-did old punches & performed a new one, too. Those turned out to be seriously positive for lupus, so after many years, I got a 2-doctor confirmation (dermie & rheumie). Is there anything going on with your skin that might provide a second path to a possible Dx of something?

How long has this been going on (like that old song lyric)? Bye for now, with best wishes, Vee

VeeJ-
:wave: Thank you for responding! Yes, my physician has ran a lupus panel 3 times now and it is still coming back negative. My ANA however is continuing to increase ever slowly (to me indicates something is going on). I am continuing to see an increase in joint pain and neuralgia in my hands, reddend areas on my face, and extreme fatigue. I guess my next question is...Does it take lupus several years to surface? My first tests were ran about 5 years ago. Any help is appreciated!! :)

Hi, Mygrils. I think the path varies a lot for people who end up being Dx'ed with lupus---anywhere from sudden & acute, to slow. I took decades, but I ended up being in the SCLE (subacute cutaneous) subset. SCLE mean age of Dx is 43---weirdly, the exact age I was when I got my first full-blown rash (big circles on arms & torso, nonscarring.

You could maybe keep brief notes of what happens & when. For example, reddened areas on your face: when it began, what else was going on (joint pain, etc.), when it faded, were you out in sun prior, etc.

I jotted such notes on my calendar, and each yr. I tossed the old one in a desk drawer for future reference. In the hands of the right dr. (it took "umpteen" :eek: ), those notes made utter & compelling sense to him.

Hang in there! I hope this all either (1) goes away (preferable!), or (2) makes enough sense to a dr. who can then jump all over it with treatment. Sincerely, Vee