Aa
Hep C and ANA
I tested positive for Hep C antibodies and took two RNA tests months apart that came back not detected. Each time the doctor scared me into thinking I had it again just bc I had the antibodies. The antibodies are created by our body to fight the virus, which your body has seen, but successfully fought off. You do not have the virus but each doctor will act like the presence of antibodies means you have the virus. NO. It means you HAD the virus. The thing I really wanted to touch up on is the ANA thing. I have been consistently testing non detectable through RNA quantitative, qualitative, and genotype test. They couldn't tell what genotype it was because the virus was nondetectable (not there). The real thing I wanted to bring up is the fact that even though the virus is gone my body produced antinuclear antibodies that adversely are attacking my cells. I have an ANA speckled pattern of 1:80. I know this is a low positive but I don't have any symptoms and I do not understand where this came from so I'm thinking that this ANA is related to the Hep C thing. I am going to see a specialist on my own for this answer and if I find something relative I will let you know. Does anybody know what the relevance is?
Hi serchin
This community is for patients and their caregivers with hepatitis c so most here won't know much about your situation. We are not medical professionals what we know comes from our personal experiences with hepatitis c.
Do you see a liver specialist and what do they say?
Possibly you could try the liver disorders group maybe they can be of more help
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Liver-Disorders/show/286
Best of luck to you
Lynn
This community is for patients and their caregivers with hepatitis c so most here won't know much about your situation. We are not medical professionals what we know comes from our personal experiences with hepatitis c.
Do you see a liver specialist and what do they say?
Possibly you could try the liver disorders group maybe they can be of more help
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Liver-Disorders/show/286
Best of luck to you
Lynn
positive antibodies 11.0
RNA not detected
genotype-RNA not detected
ANA positive1:80 speckle pattern
ACTIN 17
0-19 is negative so my actin is negative
actin antibodies are found in 52-85 percent of individuals with autoimmune hepatitis.
AFP <1.3
These are the facts about me
no symptoms, regular bowl, NO depression, confusion, or itching, diarreah, constipation, headaches, or fatigue.
My liver panels are within normal range.....whats goin on with me?
RNA not detected
genotype-RNA not detected
ANA positive1:80 speckle pattern
ACTIN 17
0-19 is negative so my actin is negative
actin antibodies are found in 52-85 percent of individuals with autoimmune hepatitis.
AFP <1.3
These are the facts about me
no symptoms, regular bowl, NO depression, confusion, or itching, diarreah, constipation, headaches, or fatigue.
My liver panels are within normal range.....whats goin on with me?
read about ANA and autoimmune hepatitis. It is not lupus or nething like that. I had hepatitis once and now it is gone. I have no symptoms. This is all that makes sense. This does not mean I have autoimmune hepatitis but I definitely need to follow up and watch it because if it grows that means my immune system is attacking myself. This is obviously a rare disease but it is serious. I would like if anybody can touch up on the speckled pattern and keep in mind all the facts I have told you.
ANA patterns can indicate Autoimmune hepatitis. Mean your body created antibodies to fight the virus and now your immune system is confused and instead of attacking the hep C cells on your liver it is attacking the liver itself. I have read up on it considering I had hep C negative RNA but positive speckled pattern of 1:80 ANA. if you have an autoimmune disease due to this it can get back unless treated. Ok I figured a little more out and most autoimmune hepatitis come with a homogeneous pattern and speckled often meaning remission. My ANA results could change but it looks as though it is a reaction to the Hep C. Could result in a liver biopsy, but my levels are not high they are borderline low meaning 1 out of 80 not 180. If it was 1:230 that would be very bad. We will see. I will keep you updated.
I have no symptoms and my Hep C RNA came back as not detected. My pattern is speckled 1:80. I have always had bladder infections as well as my mother throughout my whole life way before my body had seen the hep C virus, which is irrelevant. I will always have the antibodies. Im just confused as to where this ANA thing is coming from. Could it be my bladder? does it have to do with the fact that I had Hep C at one point but body cleared the virus on its own? My liver panel has always been within normal ranges and actually looks really good I was told I do plan on seeing a specialist thank you for the advise. I'm so confused about this.
People can have an elevated ANA and not have any specific disease.
On the other hand, it is felt that a Hepatitis C infection (or any viral infection) can trigger Autoimmune Diseases.
A Rheumatologist is the type of specialist you would want to see. The Rheumatologist will order a lot of other tests to determine why your ANA is elevated.
In addition, make a list of any symptoms you have, even if the symptoms don't appear to mean anything. (muscle or joint aches or pains, fatigue, dry eyes, dry mouth, problem swallowing, urinary problems such are urgency or frequency, depression, neuropathy such as tingling or numbness or burning of the feet or toes, dry skin, rashes or skin lesions, periodically discolored toes or fingers, respiratory problems, dry throat, cough, sinus congestion, etc.). Autoimmune disorders present with a wide array of seemingly unrelated symptoms so the more you can tell the Rheymatologist, the more it will help make a diagnosis.
Also, if you have any family history of Autoimmune Diseases, write that down too.
The antinuclear antibody (ANA) test is used as a primary test to help evaluate a person for autoimmune disorders that affect many tissues and organs throughout the body (systemic).
In addition to a titer, positive results on IFA will include a description of the particular type of fluorescent pattern seen. Different patterns have been associated with different autoimmune disorders, although some overlap may occur. Some of the more common patterns include:
Homogenous (diffuse)—associated with SLE, mixed connective tissue disease, and drug-induced lupus
Speckled—associated with SLE, Sjögren syndrome, scleroderma, polymyositis, rheumatoid arthritis, and mixed connective tissue disease
Nucleolar—associated with scleroderma and polymyositis
Centromere pattern (peripheral)—associated with scleroderma and CREST (Calcinosis, Raynaud syndrome, Esophogeal dysmotility, Sclerodactyly, Telangiectasia)
http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/ana/tab/test/
On the other hand, it is felt that a Hepatitis C infection (or any viral infection) can trigger Autoimmune Diseases.
A Rheumatologist is the type of specialist you would want to see. The Rheumatologist will order a lot of other tests to determine why your ANA is elevated.
In addition, make a list of any symptoms you have, even if the symptoms don't appear to mean anything. (muscle or joint aches or pains, fatigue, dry eyes, dry mouth, problem swallowing, urinary problems such are urgency or frequency, depression, neuropathy such as tingling or numbness or burning of the feet or toes, dry skin, rashes or skin lesions, periodically discolored toes or fingers, respiratory problems, dry throat, cough, sinus congestion, etc.). Autoimmune disorders present with a wide array of seemingly unrelated symptoms so the more you can tell the Rheymatologist, the more it will help make a diagnosis.
Also, if you have any family history of Autoimmune Diseases, write that down too.
The antinuclear antibody (ANA) test is used as a primary test to help evaluate a person for autoimmune disorders that affect many tissues and organs throughout the body (systemic).
In addition to a titer, positive results on IFA will include a description of the particular type of fluorescent pattern seen. Different patterns have been associated with different autoimmune disorders, although some overlap may occur. Some of the more common patterns include:
Homogenous (diffuse)—associated with SLE, mixed connective tissue disease, and drug-induced lupus
Speckled—associated with SLE, Sjögren syndrome, scleroderma, polymyositis, rheumatoid arthritis, and mixed connective tissue disease
Nucleolar—associated with scleroderma and polymyositis
Centromere pattern (peripheral)—associated with scleroderma and CREST (Calcinosis, Raynaud syndrome, Esophogeal dysmotility, Sclerodactyly, Telangiectasia)
http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/ana/tab/test/
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Hepatitis C Community
Learn about this treatable virus.
Getting tested for this viral infection.
3 key steps to getting on treatment.
4 steps to getting on therapy.
What you need to know about Hep C drugs.
How the drugs might affect you.
These tips may up your chances of a cure.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
