Arthritis and no ANA

[kimilians]

I have been having symtoms of some kind of auto immune disorder for years. Fatique pain stiffness general overall feeling of being unwell. Now I am anemic and would like to know if it is possible to have and auto immune disorder with no ANA that test comes back neg. My mother had lupus and her sister had RA also my daughter shows positive for ANA.I am wondering if I could have pernaciouse anemia. I am 52 years old.Doc just keeps saying no ANA . What could this be.

Thank You
Kim

[ampky]

Do you know if your anemia is a lack of B12, folic acid or iron?

Usually if one is low in B12, then extra folic acid is given, too.  A lack of B12 can cause a lot of different neurological problems.

[Enoch Choi, MD]

ampky is right, there are many reasons for anemia which is something to get evaluated separately from your fatigue and stiffness.

Other than testing for pernicious anemia (lack of intrinsic factor), other testing may include B12, folate, transferrin saturation, ferritin, and if everything else is negative, a bone marrow biopsy.

Some autoimmune problems can be ANA negative