What does testing positive for ANA mean?

[Really Rose]

I noticed another post here regarding testing positive for ANA.  What is ANA?  Furthermore, are there

[Really Rose]

Yup, I think I get it!

Well, the worst of the waiting game to see someone or to get treatment has manifested itself into a feeling of intense fear.  My fear has made me distrustful, secretive, angry and almost a recluse.  Since,  I am newly diagnosed I am perplexed with how I actually got Hep C.  I do believe that I would not be obsessing about this if I were seen to in a timely manner.

Thanks for that web site.  It takes some of the mystery out of it.
Take Care
Rose

[Bill1954]

It seems as if this one of the

[Bill1954]

My, thanks for the nice words. They couldn't have come at a better time, by the way. I don

[Really Rose]

Thanks so much, Bill,  for the info.  That's a great site and I bookmarked it for future use.

It's not really clear if you test positive if you are a "little bit" or "all".  Know what I mean?

Is it like being pregnant?  You are or you aren't?  
LOL

Take Care
Rose

[Really Rose]

I can probably assume that it's an probable indicator for the possibility of  Rheumatoid Arthritis as my sister has it and the family is notorious for it.  All my other tests came back negative and they took 12 vials of blood that day for tests that were ordered from the clinic.

As like others here at this site (which is excellent, I should add) I have to make some huge decisions here in the near future.  

I live in

[Bill1954]

Pretty cool site huh? If you go to the home page, they have a drop down menu, as well as search capability by condition and test.

I know little about ANA values beyond what I

[GrandmaA]

You have a great deal of very good information. Thanks for sharing on this and other posts. I'm learning a lot.

[Bill1954]

Rose,

ANA is one of many diagnostic tests available to investigate potential for lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune hepatitis, and a host of other autoimmune issues. It