Lupus and ANA titers

[Guest guest]

The ANA (anti-nuclear antibodies) blood test is one of the ruling

factors in diagnosing Lupus, but it is not the only test that is

considered when diagnosing Lupus. A person can have a positive ANA and

NOT have Lupus. A person can have a negative ANA and still have all the

other clinical symptoms of Lupus. (Confused yet?)

ANA stands for Antinuclear Antibody. This literally means 'substance

against the cell nucleus'. The nucleus is the 'headquarters' of the

living cell, therefore the ANA can damage or destroy cells and tissues.

If the ANA destroys the nucleus of the cell, the cell dies. Enough cells

die and organ tissue dies.

To diagnose lupus, the physician has to look very carefully at the titer

(number) and pattern of the ANA test. The pattern of the cell is the

determing factor in whether the diagnosis will be Lupus, arthritis,

polymyositis, scleroderma, or another connective tissue disease.

The titer shows how many times the technician had to mix fluid from the

patient's blood to get a sample free of ANAs. Thus a titer of 1:640

shows a greater concentration of ANA than 1:320 or 1:160, since it took

640 dilutions of the plasma before ANA was no longer detected.

A negative ANA is any number LESS than 1:80 (this is " pronounced " one to

80 parts). (Plasma was diluted 1 part plasma with 8 parts diluting

solution.)

Since each dilution involves doubling the amount of test fluid, it is

not surprising that titers increase rapidly. In fact, the difference

between titers of 1:160 and 1:320 is only a single dilution. And it

doesn't necessarily represent a major difference in disease activity.

Lower than 1:20 is considered a negative result.

1:80 is considered a " low positive " and more tests should be ordered.

95% of people with 1:80 ANA do not have Lupus.

1:16 is considered positive and if SED rates and Complement tests are

positive, Lupus is considered.

1:32 is a definite positive and mean the disease is active.

1:64 is considered very high and tissue damage is imminent.

For more information on ANA:

http://www.itzarion.com/lupusana.html

[Guest guest]

What does this mean "tissue damage is imminent"? I'm sorry this sounds rather dense, but I'm not diagnosed yet and have so much to learn, my last ANA was 1:640 and speckled. Also, are mood swings and emotional problems actually a symptom, or a result of meds? -if meds, I don't know what my excuse is but in the last year or so I have become a an intolerant bitch (I'm working on that, but not real successfully). I seem to get weird trembly like feelings in my mouth and upper body, for short periods of time, has anyone else experienced something like this?'

I have so many questions, but have trouble putting my thoughts together sometimes.

Thanks and best wishes to all,

Jeanette

-----Original Message-----From: bsewell Sent: Sunday, October 13, 2002 5:20 PMTo: LUPIESegroupsSubject: Lupus and ANA titers1:64 is considered very high and tissue damage is imminent.

[Guest guest]

What does this mean "tissue damage is imminent"? I'm sorry this sounds rather dense, but I'm not diagnosed yet and have so much to learn, my last ANA was 1:640 and speckled. Also, are mood swings and emotional problems actually a symptom, or a result of meds? -if meds, I don't know what my excuse is but in the last year or so I have become a an intolerant bitch (I'm working on that, but not real successfully). I seem to get weird trembly like feelings in my mouth and upper body, for short periods of time, has anyone else experienced something like this?'

I have so many questions, but have trouble putting my thoughts together sometimes.

Thanks and best wishes to all,

Jeanette

-----Original Message-----From: bsewell Sent: Sunday, October 13, 2002 5:20 PMTo: LUPIESegroupsSubject: Lupus and ANA titers1:64 is considered very high and tissue damage is imminent.