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Neurology (Expert Forum)
HIGH ANA TITER
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HIGH ANA TITER
by Christine, Aug 28, 2000 12:00AM
Dear Doctor,
My daughter became quite ill with Fifth's Disease when she was 6 yrs. old. She had joint aches, mild fever, facial rash, and general fatigue. Bloodwork done showed positive for the parvo virus titer. But also had done ,with routine bloodwork, an ANA profile, which was very high, like in the 1000's. Her illness resolved itself in a few weeks and she's been fine since. She's now 13, and is very healthy, but since the ana was so high, my pediatrician has followed it yearly. It can be so high, like in the 1,000's to as low as 1:320. He is uncertain as to what this means, also, but feels someday she may develop some autoimmune type illness, such as lupus. Could you give me your opinions, and what course of action, if any, to take? I understand, that high ANA's are insignificant, if there are no other symptoms, but feel that this is so high, I should be doing more for her, like maybe a specialist? If there's any signifigance to this, I am white american, but my husband is Vietnamese. Also, does this mean she has a higher incidence of someday developing M.S.?
Thanks for any help
Christine G.
My daughter became quite ill with Fifth's Disease when she was 6 yrs. old. She had joint aches, mild fever, facial rash, and general fatigue. Bloodwork done showed positive for the parvo virus titer. But also had done ,with routine bloodwork, an ANA profile, which was very high, like in the 1000's. Her illness resolved itself in a few weeks and she's been fine since. She's now 13, and is very healthy, but since the ana was so high, my pediatrician has followed it yearly. It can be so high, like in the 1,000's to as low as 1:320. He is uncertain as to what this means, also, but feels someday she may develop some autoimmune type illness, such as lupus. Could you give me your opinions, and what course of action, if any, to take? I understand, that high ANA's are insignificant, if there are no other symptoms, but feel that this is so high, I should be doing more for her, like maybe a specialist? If there's any signifigance to this, I am white american, but my husband is Vietnamese. Also, does this mean she has a higher incidence of someday developing M.S.?
Thanks for any help
Christine G.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS, Aug 28, 2000 12:00AM
Dear Christine:
An ANA titer can mean many things because the test is non-specific. When cells die, the contents that are now released can be seen as foreign and antibodies made. In 5th disease, cells die and it is not uncommon to see non-specific antibodies made, such as ANA. In autoimmune disorders, there is also cell death and ANA antibodies can be found. Once an antibody is made, it can stick around for many years, and if cell death is occurring (which happens all the time) antibodies can be renewed and titers elevated. If one is questioning lupus, then fragmentation of the ANA antibody types might be useful, also clinical signs, other lab results such as complement, sedimentation rate etc can be done to verify SLE. I would take a wait and see attitude and watch for clinical signs if you are worried. I would not be too worried at this point.
I hope I helped you some.
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro MD
An ANA titer can mean many things because the test is non-specific. When cells die, the contents that are now released can be seen as foreign and antibodies made. In 5th disease, cells die and it is not uncommon to see non-specific antibodies made, such as ANA. In autoimmune disorders, there is also cell death and ANA antibodies can be found. Once an antibody is made, it can stick around for many years, and if cell death is occurring (which happens all the time) antibodies can be renewed and titers elevated. If one is questioning lupus, then fragmentation of the ANA antibody types might be useful, also clinical signs, other lab results such as complement, sedimentation rate etc can be done to verify SLE. I would take a wait and see attitude and watch for clinical signs if you are worried. I would not be too worried at this point.
I hope I helped you some.
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro MD
Thank you so very much for your prompt reply. The service you provide is excellent. I have tried for YEARS to post that question. All the other bloodwork you mentioned, sed rate, and various other tests, all proved to be normal. Her ANA is just so temperamental!!!! Your advice is the same as my pediatrician's, to just not worry about it. Thank you again for the added peace of mind.
Sincerely,
Christine
If you see this, I read your Sept. 8 posting. You mentioned some concerns? Would you mind re posting and filling me in on what was worrying you?
Christine