| Re: i had a positive ana test result last year ,his year was negative why its that?
Evelyn, hi. I've read about ANA pitfalls & misunderstandings. ANA isn't diagnostic of any particular disease because it can be positive in MULTIPLE conditions (lupus, RA, Sjogren's syndrome, polymyositis, dermatomyositis, scleroderma, some thyroid conditions, ETC.). Therefore, to Dx these conditions, ANA is only ONE of the things doctors look for.
But ANA can also be positive due to a temporary virus or to certain meds, due to aging, and in healthy people whose family members have autoimmunes.
And even in people with autoimmunes, it can rise/fall with disease flares, or recede due to treatment (meds). And it's technically tricky to measure, so different labs could get different readings on a single blood sample.
Further, lupus is spectrum with varying degrees. In classic systemic lupus (SLE), ANA is positive maybe 95% to 97% of the time (I've seen various figures). But in the intermediate subacute cutaneous "subset" (SCLE), that figure goes down to maybe 70%. In the mildest group, "discoid lupus" (DLE), that percent is even lower.
Look at the "sticky post" (permanent info post) at the top of the thread list about "test results" for info on other more specific tests used in lupus. Also, check out the "sticky" with lupus diagnostic criteria, which lists both test results & symptoms used to Dx lupus.
Obviously I'm only a patient! But I hope above helps some & that you post more when you can. Meanwhile, best wishes to you! Sincerely, Vee
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