LLMD Questions/Lupus question

Hello Everyone,

I was recently diagnosed with lyme, my ANA was increasingly high in the beginning of my treatment and now has gotten down with treatment, although still positive.

I am wondering how many lyme patients have ANA positive? I am just scared that it may be lupus along with lyme etc and not being able to identify which is which?

Has anyone had success rates with Dr.L in NY or Dr.M in Plattsburgh in NY?

Thanks!

 

HI Inchi,
Lots of us that have these infections, also have a high ANA. I've never had the test done, so I don't know if I do or not. The ANA test only tests for autoimmune issues, so you could have a number of other issues other than Lupus. Many that have Lyme also have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis - which is an autoimmune issue, so it could be as simple as that. You may not even need any medication for anything, so please don't let that one test freak you out - especially since the levels are going down.

If you haven't already, please read through our "New to Lyme? Start here!" thread that stays at the top of the forum for lots of information, symptom lists and important links.

Positive ANA is very unspecific. It can be infection, inflammation, or autoimmune driven. My daughter who has lyme & bart had a flair this past fall/winter which included labs & symptoms that mimicked lupus. Her ANA was positive (dual patterns that fluctuated over the months & titers ranging from 1:640-1:40). Her symptoms and labs have improved since resuming abx in the spring. She was off of them in fall/winter due to elevated liver functions. She still has a positive ANA though. She is positive for lyme with Igenex and Advanced Lab (culture). There are other labs you can run that are more lupus specific.

Post Edited (emylgal) : 8/16/2012 7:49:56 PM (GMT-6)