Causes of high ESR

I have a positive ANA and an ESR of 80. I have been diagnosed with Lupus. I do not know if I believe this. The only health problems that I have are some mild aching and some fatigue that I would think is typical with my age. Can an ESR and ANA blood test raise in other circumstances other than Lupus? When the blood work was done, I had a 1st degree sunburn from going to my tanning salon. Is it possible that inflammation to my skin affected my test results? I did not have any positive antibodies to any disease.

[janet1562]

My doctor said to just have it rechecked after the sunburn has subsided. I hope nothing is wrong with my health.

[karajo]

I do know that lupus is diagnosed when someone has at least 4 out of 11 criteria.  Positive ANA and sed rate are only one of the 11.  It is not dx by lab alone.  And you could have a very mild case.  I will tell you that lupus can react to tanning beds and cause your ANA/SED to be elevated.  Sun exposure can cause an immune response to occur in people w/ lupus.  Thus elevating the ANA.  Sun exposure does not have the same reaction to people who do not have lupus.  (I hope that makes since to you)

What was the level of your ANA?

Here are the criteria for lupus:

They are:
1. malar rash over cheeks (butterfly rash) (74%)
2. discoid rash, red raised patches
3. photosensitivity - reaction to sunlight, resulting in skin rash (50%)
4. oral and nose ulcers
5. arthritis (95%)
6. serositis - inflamation (inflammation) of the lining of the lung or heart
7. reanl disorder - excessive protein in urine and/or cellular casts
8. neurologic disorder - seizures, or psychosis
9. anemia or low white blood count or lymphopenia or low platelet count
10. positive ANA
11. positive anti-DNA or anti-Sm, or antiphospholipid antibody or false pos. syphilis test

Other symptoms are:
fever (90-95%)
abdominal pain
chest pain
shortness of breath
blood in urine
hair falling out (27%)
fatigue (90%)
muscle pain and weakness (90%)
dizziness
poor memory
headaches
poor circulation in fingers and toes
tingling in extremities
diarrhea
bloating
nausea
weight loss
blurred vision
depression
palpitations
raynauds (where fingers turn white when cold)
intollerance to cold
sore throat
lymph node swelling (50%)
...to name a few

Keep in mind that fibromyalgia, CFS, MS and lymes disease also have similar symptoms.