ANA test

[crystalcairns4]

I am a 38 yr old female and my ANA came back positive. I have been having pain in my elbow down my arms to the tips of my fingers for a couple months now. I have always had cold hands even in the summer time. 2weeks ago both of my hands turnt blue from my wrist to my fingers. My doctor thinks it may be renaulds she has referred me to a rheumatologist. I am a dental asst will any of this effect my job?

[jo73161]

My daughter had her hands and feet turn blue she  suffered massive swelling which they thought was rhumatoid arthritis,hence refered to a Rhumatologist. she tested posative for mycoplasm which they think was the result, she continues for 3 months now with continued pain in hands and feet and is being tested for Vasculitis. Get some inflamatory marker testing done this go's hand in hand with Auto immune diseases.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi!
Normal TSH values are 0.4 - 4.0 mIU/L. Your’s are only marginally higher. You may need to repeat the tests after three months—T3, T4, TSH and thyroid antibodies. Since ANA is positive, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis and autoimmune thyroiditis is a possibility. High eosinophils are found in parasitic infections, asthma, or allergic reactions, tropical eosinophilia etc. You need to consult a doctor to find the cause. Low neutrophils are seen in autoimmune disorders, low vitamin B 12, low folate, or prolonged infection. Since ANA is positive, ANA staining should be done. Depending on the pattern of staining further tests may be needed to confirm the type of autoimmune disorder you may have. Please discuss with an internal medicine specialist. Take care!

The medical advice given should not be considered a substitute for medical care provided by a doctor who can examine you. The advice may not be completely correct for you as the doctor cannot examine you and does not know your complete medical history. Hence this reply to your post should only be considered as a guiding line and you must consult your doctor at the earliest for your medical problem.

[lukhaam]

Hi there doctor
I have my lab test done last week could you tell me if i should do anything
i am about 50 female
Eosinophils H23 ABS neutrophils L1.45 ABS.Eosinophils H 1.01 ESR H21
ANA 1:40 possitive TSH 4.15
I have pain on my back many thing symptoms changes daily
Thanks very appreciated

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi!
Well, holding your arms with your elbow lower than hands for a prolonged time over days can cause tingling, numbness, coldness etc due to poor circulation. However since ANA is high, other causes too should be looked into. Generally a high ANA titre indicates an autoimmune disease (SLE, Sjögren's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune hepatitis, scleroderma, polymyositis, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, dermatomyositis, primary biliary cirrhosis, Addison disease, Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, and type 1 diabetes mellitus). Mixed connective tissue disorders also cause a high ANA. What is important is the pattern of ANA staining: homogenous, speckled, or nucleolar. Rheumatoid arthritis is more or less ruled out. Depending on the pattern of ANA staining, other antibody tests will have to be done. The pattern of staining itself is quite diagnostic (for eg in SLE a homogenous pattern is seen, nucleolar pattern in scleroderma and speckled pattern in ITP and mixed connective tissue disorder and in lupus). Do discuss this with your doctor (rheumatologist) and get yourself examined. Take care!