Looking over 5 year old blood work, so confused low C-4 Serum Pos ANA

Hi,

Hope everyone is doing well . I have a question regarding lab work. I am seeing a Rhuemy and I finally started treatment after 5 years of being sick. My Rhuemy wanted me to track down old lab work as he believes I have lupus as I have the symptoms but my lab work always changes. Well I went to sooo many docs I forgot some of their names but I figured out who I needed records from and finally got my paws on them today. Now here's the confusion.

The blood test state a positive ANA and also show that my C-4 serum is low. I read an article stating that pos ANA and a low C4- serum is an indicator for lupus. I am wondering why my DR did not investigate this more. I mean here I am 20 year old girl with a rash on my face, unexplainable chest pain, unable to move my arm for no reason(not the first time its happened), lymph nodes inflamed to the point that they are the size of a golf ball with a pos ANA and low C-4 serum yet I'm told I'm fine and to follow up???? So frustrating.

Am I correct about the C4 serum and pos ana being an indicator of lupus or maybe even another illness?.

Post Edited (LAWCHICK) : 9/28/2011 7:22:11 AM (GMT-6)

Hi thanks for the article. I also read other articles regarding LOWc4 and pos ANA along with symptoms being enough to diagnose. It took me 5 years to get this close to official diagnoses and get treatment. I just dont understand why no one brought this to my attention. Also in the report they DR wrote I had a neg ANA which wasnt true my ANA was positive.

Thanks Patty thats what I thought. Im not going to worry about the past but geez I think my former Rhuemy really dropped the ball.