Does anyone had positive Antinuclear Antibodies?

[Jill L.]

Hello,

I've had IC for probably about 4 years. I recently had a baby 8 months ago. About 3 months postpartum, I began to have some weird muscle aches in various places in my body. The aching would last in each part of my body for about 2 or 3 days. Then it was like it would jump to a new spot. I also had some achiness in my fingers, toes, and knees. This all disappeared after about 3 months or so. It was really strange. Then after a really stressful time about a month ago, I began have some achiness in my feet and fingers. I saw the Rheumatologist who at first thought I had Lupus or Rheumatoid Arthritis. My ANA's were run and they came back quite high...1:1280. He did some further blood tests and found that all my other bloodwork was normal that would indicate a specific or mixed connective tissue disease. He basically told me that I may develop something in 5 years or maybe even as long as 20 years from now. He said that it is possible that it may never really develop into anything. He also mentioned that I might have my thyroid checked. I had my thyroid tested about 5 months ago and it was normal. My mother is hypothyroid. I don't know if hypothyroid would cause symptoms like these that came on like they did.....I've read that IC patients can have positive ANA's, but I really don't know how high they're talking about. Anyway, has anyone else tested positive on the high side for ANA's? I just don't know what I should do at this point....

Thanks in advance,

Jill

[Julie B]

Hi Jill:

My ANAs have run very high for years. I also have hashimoto's thyroiditis which is an autoimmune disease. The test you would get would be for the thyroid antibodies.........your thyroid hormones could be normal........and might stay normal.

In any case, it is very easy to fix......you should follow up on this, but don't be too alarmed............it is actually quite common........

Hugs Julie B

[Jill L.]

Hi Julie,

Thanks so much for the response. Do you mind if I ask by chance how high your ANA's have gone? I've been posting on another Lupus board to find some information and they are sort of freaking me out. They are saying my ANA's are probably too high for any thyroid autoimmune problem. My rheumatologist doesn't seem totally concerned at the moment, but they are sort of telling me that experts say with an ANA that high, I have some connective tissue thing happening. I'm totally confused and scared....So if you have Hashimoto's you may have normal thyroid results? My doctor said that even if I had thyroid antibodies that that would mean nothing because my other levels appear normal. Oh l'm so confused! :bonk: Aren't there only two antibody tests that can be run?

Thanks again!

Jill

[Julie B]

Hi there...........I believe (don't quote me) that there are two thyriod antibodies. Only one causes Hashimoto's. I am not 100% sure about the other one so I won't say. My ANAs were 640, but my endcrinologist and the hemotologist I went to both said that the numbers are different for everyone. I would think you could find more on PubMed?

In any case........try not to worry......HUGSSSSSSSSSsssssssssssssssssssss Julie :-)

[Jill L.]

Hi Julie,

Would you mind if I PM you to ask a few more additional questions about your experience with Hashimots and how you were diagnosed? I'm having a hard time figuring out where to go from here.....

Thanks!

Jill

[MamaKay]

I have also had a high ANA for several years now. Yesterday, the Gastro told me mine was outrageous, but would only say the test results he receives shows positive with a number greater than 640. I have had a problem with my liver functions skyrocketing in December and gradually coming down. He thinks I need a liver biopsy to confirm Autoimmune Hepatitis. Has anyone else had this problem?