Positive ANA test

[opossum]

I just recently had an ANA test done and it came back to be positive with a 1:1280 ratio.  I understand for that to be really high.  I have been classified as neutropenic for about two years.  My overall white blood cell count range anywhere from 3.8 to as low as 2.4.  My doctor seems to be a little worried but my overall health is generally good.  I am hardly ever sick or have any oppertunistic infections.  On my latest ct scan of my abdomin, my spleen was slightly enlarged.  My doctor seems to think I may have an autoimmune disorder such as lupus or mixed connective tissue disease but the only sign of one is the positive ANA.  I am only 20 years old so could that be the reason that I am not showing any of the signs or symptoms due to that it probably hasn't manifested yet?  I also understand that normal healthy people sometimes have a positive ana for no known reason.  Also, what could cost my white blood cell count to me normal one day and then be so low the next?  Thanks

[along151]

My 7 year old son has the same problems with his blood work. He has fluctuating Low WBC, his was down to 2.0 this summer! It ranges mosty in the 3-4 range and can go up as high as 11. His ANA is also extremely high, they didn't give me a ratio, just 5.2 as of right now. He hasnt' been diagnosed with anything, and I'm going crazy trying to figure out what to do now. I know there is something wrong, but I can't get any answers.

[opossum]

The reason my hematologist ordered that test was because she had recently done a blood flow cytometry and it showed something about the poly-clonal cd5 B-cell population which was suggestive of an auto-immune disorder.  Also, with my neutrophil count always being lower then normal.

[TNConsultant]

I'm curious about something..... If your health is norma" and you're relatively healthy, what prompted your doctor to order an ANA test?  This is not a routine test that doctors just run on everybody.  Most doctors will only run it if you have specific symptoms that point towards Lupus or another autoimmune disease.  

[PlateletGal]

Your ANA is very high, so I wouldn't be surprised at all if indeed you had an autoimmune disease. I'm not sure whether or not the neutropenia can cause a low white cell count. You may want to ask your physician if that is the case.