I am 37 years old and was diagonised with positive ANA when I was 22. My ANA is ALWAYS very high, 1:1650 generally but 1:2450 6 months ago. (I just had a test yesterday and am anxious to hear the new number.) I also have low thyroid, a high positive AST (liver), allergies and asthma. I am asked to return to the University of Michigan Hosipital every 6 months, but they have yet to find a diagonsis for me. The super high AST (530) is very strange because the ALT is normal and they usually elevate together. A liver biopsy showed nothing. I am always tired, my hair is thinning, and I have had joint pains for over 20 years with no swelling or redness. Xrays do show signs of arthritis and I have brisitis in my hips. They have tested me for everything under the sun and nothing. The doctor wants to put me on Plaquinal but I'm leary of it. Anyone experiencing anything similar or have any suggestions? :eek:

Have you been tested for Lupus? The ANA test is a part of the lupus screening process, but there are other tests that make up the whole picture. Those of us with lupus take a lot of Plaquenil. There is only a tiny chance that it will cause anything harmful. Most of us take it without incident. It takes some time to build up in the body and bring relief, but it works well for a whole lot of people. I don't know anything about liver enzymes, I can't ever remember having a discussion with my doctor about the liver at all. My biggest problem is with my kidneys, which had to be confirmed with a kidney biopsy. But if your urine labs are good, that shouldn't be an issue. I hope you find relief.

Hi -

Wow! With such a high ANA, I'm surprised you haven't been tagged as a probable lupus patient.

I suggest you visit the lupus thread and read the 2 stickies at the top. One is about diagnosing lupus and the other is about an often related problem called Antiphospholipoid Syndrome, or APS. See if anything there sounds familiar.

Wishing you well - Barbara

Have you been tested for Lupus? The ANA test is a part of the lupus screening process, but there are other tests that make up the whole picture. Those of us with lupus take a lot of Plaquenil. There is only a tiny chance that it will cause anything harmful. Most of us take it without incident. It takes some time to build up in the body and bring relief, but it works well for a whole lot of people. I don't know anything about liver enzymes, I can't ever remember having a discussion with my doctor about the liver at all. My biggest problem is with my kidneys, which had to be confirmed with a kidney biopsy. But if your urine labs are good, that shouldn't be an issue. I hope you find relief.

Hi aquanegra,

May I ask what kind of issues you have with your kidneys? Thanks!