ANA's gives just information, there are specific tests for LUPUs, I have high ANA's (april was 1:640, in June was 1:320, speckled, I did all tests for autoimmune diseases and all came back negative except TPO antibodies that were more then 1000 in my first analyses and in June 1: 820. I have Hashi , ultrasound says it's a thyroiditis. My ferritin was 9, and I'm still taking iron for my anemia. Stress was responsible for most of my symptoms. Did you check your free T3 and free T4?
About ANA's you can read this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-nuclear_antibody
Hi...my drs looked at both hashi's and Lupus...as of now it's hashi's because they found nodules....did they do a US of ur thyroid???
Good luck
Godspeed
"selma"
I had some of the same symptoms you describe.
I recommend you find a Naturopathic Doctor in your area. This website has a list of Drs recommended by thyroid patients:
http://thyroid.about.com
I went to one of the Naturopaths listed there and she found antibodies in the 800's -clearly Hashimoto's- and adrenal distress. I have found relief with daily t3 and t4 chemical thyroid, adrenal glandular to nourish the adrenals, and selenium to lower antibodies. Though this is not the most natural treatment, she said that Armour would only provoke the antibodies to fight harder and I must bypass the thyroid altogether.
Incidentally, my OB said this sounded like LUPUS (she was wrong), and that she would not even attempt to manage Hashi's, but refer to an endocrinologist. I don't have insurance so I started with the naturopath and have been happy with the bill and the results. Generally naturopaths are committed to helping find answers, not just prescribing meds. I got seen the same day I called too, no 3 month wait!
Good luck to you.