Autoimmune Antibodies

Question  once you develop antibodies are they there for life.  I had hashimoto's thyroiditis.  Then had Thyroid removed for papillary cancer. Now have hypoparathyroidism with low PTH levels. I had some labs done. I'm guessing no relevant results because of autoimmune antibodies already in my system. Test results are  (IRON SATURATION 12 norm[15-20])  (Total T3 250 norm[60-181)  (TSH ultra sens 0.04 norm[0.35-5.50)  (MCH 26.6 norm[27.3-32.7)  (RDW,16.1 norm[11.5-15.1)  Calcium 8.1 not unusual for me. Glucose,101[norm 70-100]  triglyceride,160  HDL,39 VLDL,32 (CRP,20.2 norm[0-4.9) (RA,9)  (CRP HIGH SENS 20.40)  (ANA-SERUM POSITIVE) ANA TITER 1:80 norm<1:40 Speckled pattern. (Estrogen's total E1+E2 433) norm [122-437]11-20 days. 49-female. I don't think these are unusual for me. How do you diagnose a second illness in someone who already has autoimmune antibodies. Just curious.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

One autoimmune antibodies develop, unless they are appropriately treated and cleared, they will perseist.  

An ANA titer of 1:80 is relatively low.  There is also a proportion of patients without disease who have positive ANA titers.  

Looking at the lab results, aside from the TSH results, there are no striking abnormalities.  It is unlikely that a baseline positive ANA titer test would affect the results of the other lab values.

These questions can be discussed with your personal physician - or in conjunction with a rheumatologist.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
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