Tested postive for ANA

[burn out]

I recently had blood work for possible chrones, lupus and thyroid disease and tested postive for ANA. My doctor told me that it was not lupus but could possibly be rheumatoriad arthritis. How do I know for sure that it's not lupus because both RA and Lupus will show a positive ANA

[Myown]

I don't want to get you nervous, but just to play it safe get a test for hepatitus C. I had/have an ANA  that was borderline and the doctor said if it was a little higher it would be lupus. Long story short - I have hepatitus C. As I said, don't panic, you may not have it at all but I know in my case I was reading alot and came across Hep C and asked for the test and sure enough -I have it. Most or I should say all PCP's know very little of the virus and they think that your liver enzymes need to be thru the roof in order to indicate you have it and thats not true. Some people with Hep c also have RA, but of course having RA doesn't always mean hep c - you know that.  I didn't feel sick and still don't, so most people aren't aware they even have it. Everyone is at risk for this disease. Its not just a IV drug user disease. Anyone who has had a manicure at a nail salon should be tested in my opinion.

In all probability you don't have it - but think about getting tested to make sure. Wish you the best.