Re: BreBres Test Results

[Guest guest]

Hi Helen,

Were there any other indicators such as an ESR or CRP that would help with the diagnoses? Especially since I remember you mentioning that she would wake up screaming in pain (such as you would expect with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis). I suggest you call the Dr again, and ask them to send you a copy of the test results. Legally they are yours and you are entitled to them. If her immune system is screwy then she will be affected by virus's when the rest of you wont be which might explain the temperature, or the temperature could be a symptom?? Here is some info on ANA for you. Ideally though, you need to know what others markers like the inflammatory ones are (ESR, CRP, and full blood count etc) so you can see better just how she is being affected. I am sure the Dr would have done more then just an ANA.

*hugs*

Stay safe,

Love, Aisha.

taken from http://www.labcorp.com

Reference Interval Negative: 1:40; borderline: 1:80; positive: 1:160Use Detect antibodies to nuclear antigensLimitations Males and females older than 80 years of age have a 50% incidence of low titer ANA. Various medications can induce a "lupoid" condition and elevated ANA titers. Usually the titer decreases following removal of the drug.Methodology Indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA)Additional Information The indirect immunofluorescent test has three elements to consider in the result:

Positive or negative fluorescence. A negative test is strong evidence against a diagnosis of SLE but not conclusive.

The titer (dilution) to which fluorescence remains positive (provides a reflection of the concentration or avidity of the antibody). Many individuals, particularly the elderly, may have low titer ANA without significant disease substantiated after work-up.

The pattern of nuclear fluorescence (reflecting specificity for various diseases). Homogeneous and/or nuclear rim (peripheral) pattern correlates with antibody to native DNA and deoxynucleoprotein and bears correlation with SLE, SLE activity, and lupus nephritis. Homogenous (diffuse) pattern suggests SLE or other connective tissue diseases. Speckled pattern correlates with antibody to nuclear antigens extractable by saline; it is found in many disease states, including SLE and scleroderma. When antibodies to DNA and deoxyribonucleoprotein are present (rim and homogenous pattern), there may be interference with the detection of speckled pattern. Nucleolar pattern is seen in sera of patients with progressive systemic sclerosis and Sjögren's syndrome. Centromere pattern is seen in CREST syndrome.

Antinuclear Antibody

ANA Pattern Identification

Found In

Follow-up Tests

Smooth (homogeneous)

SLE

Anti-dsDNA

Anti-ssDNA

Anticardiolipin

Drug induced lupus (DIL) other collagen diseases: chronic active hepatitis systemic scleroderma

Antihistone

Anti-DNP

RF

Scl-70

SS-A/SS-B

Immune complex

Speckled

SLE

Anti-dsDNA

Anti-Sm

Anticardiolipin

Sjögren's syndrome

Anti-SS-A/SS-B

Antihistone

Viral or induced lupus

MCTD

Anti-RNP

RA

RF

Nucleolar

PSS/Scleroderma

Anti-RNP

Scl-70

Anti-SS-A/SS-B

Sjögren's

Anti-SS-A/SS-B

Subcutaneous SLE

Immune complex

SLE

Anti-dsDNA

Anti-ssDNA

Centromere

Scleroderma

SS-A/SS-B

Scl-70

CREST syndrome

Scl-70

Anti-RNP

Five percent of the apparently "normal population" demonstrate serum ANA. Low titers of ANA reactivity may be seen in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (40% to 60% of patients), scleroderma (60% to 90%), discoid lupus, necrotizing vasculitis, Sjögren's syndrome (80%), chronic active hepatitis, pulmonary interstitial fibrosis, pneumoconiosis, tuberculosis, malignancy, age over 60 (18%), as well as in SLE, especially if the disease is inactive or under treatment. Titers 1:160 usually indicate the presence of active SLE, although occasionally other autoimmune disease may induce these high titers. There are now known groups of "ANA-negative" lupus patients. Such patients often have antibodies to SS-A/Ro antigen (usually when a frozen section substrate is used) and subacute cutaneous lupus. Ten percent of patients with SLE manifest biologic false-positive tests for syphilis; this may even be the initial manifestation. Some other tests used in differentiation of autoimmune states include antibody to double-stranded DNA, rheumatoid factor, antibody to extractable nuclear antigens, total hemolytic complement (C3, C4, etc). Although ANA tests are occasionally ordered on cerebrospinal fluid or synovial fluid, the current assays are not standardized for these fluids and such assays do not add to the diagnostic process.

Copyright © 1999 by Laboratory Corporation of America® Holdings and Lexi-Comp Inc.

[Guest guest]

Hi Helen :-)

The ANA is short for Anti Nuclear Antibody. It is the test used for

Lupus. The number (40 in Bre Bre's case) shows how many dilutions

that the blood went through before the result was negative. Both of

my children and myself have a titre of 80. (which is double Bre Bre's

result) I was told that this is not high enough to predict anything

of significance. Evidently 160 is relevant, (one further dilution)and

anything under this figure is not.

I had one Dr who Just said " well, it just shows that they are your

children "

I am a little dubious myself about this, as I feel that this result

coupled with our AI symptoms, (all three of us have many and various

symptoms) must show something relevant!

It is frustrating, when you know that things are not right, yet all

test results are considered to be within the normal range. It is an

awful situation to be in when you almost wish that a test would be

postive, and one that many people could never understand. However,

when living with disabling symptoms with no diagnosis, sometimes I

think that I would like to know what the hell I am dealing with here!!

It is really good news though about all of Bre Bre's test results.

What are they going to do next? Did they say?

Hope the little info I have helps, I am sure that there are many

people here who know a lot more about it than me,

:-)

> Called the Dr's. office today. All her test but one came back

fine.

> Her ANA was mildly positive! Whatever that means. I didn't take

the call

> back, her father did. Her's is 40, does that mean anything to

anyone???

> She has been ill for the last three days. Her temp got up to

103.5. No

> one else got sick, so I don't know what is wrong.. She's much

better

> tonight.

> Helen-Ohio

>

>

>

>

> angelbear1129@e...

[Guest guest]

Please, I would like that when you have time. I asked her Dad to call

them today to send us a copy of lab results and the ones before so I could

send them onto you, but he didn't. I have to go through him for this, so

don't know how long it will take.

Thanks hugs Helen

Its also used for other conditions and I know that a low reading (like

s and Bre's) in conjunction with other tests can indicate other

illnesses like rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, vasculitis,etc. I think

it only has to be high to be tested positive for lupus but I could be

wrong. If you want me to ask my Dr just say - he is a pathologist! LOL

>

> *HUGS*

> Love Aisha

>

>

>

angelbear1129@...

[Guest guest]

"The ANA is short for Anti Nuclear Antibody. It is the test used for Lupus."

Its also used for other conditions and I know that a low reading (like s and Bre's) in conjunction with other tests can indicate other illnesses like rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, vasculitis,etc. I think it only has to be high to be tested positive for lupus but I could be wrong. If you want me to ask my Dr just say - he is a pathologist! LOL

*HUGS*Love Aisha

[Guest guest]

Dear Helen,

I can email my Dr the results when you get them, alternatively you can send or fax them to me and I can take them to him when I see him in 2 weeks. I'll wait till you have all the test results though as I know he wont be able to suggest anything until he knows what the other markers were.

*hugs*

Love Aisha.