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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Tested Positive For ANA Screens Several Times. Advised Seeing Rheumatologist. No Symptoms. Advice

I am a 56 yr. old woman in good health. I have tested positive for ANA screens several times, as an adult, but have no symptoms. Twice I have been sent to a Rheumatologist with no particular findings. Most recently, I was tested as being strongly positive (320.) If I remember correctly, my primary care doctor said that a normal range is from 1 to 80? He thinks I should see a Rheumatologist again....but I have no symptoms! What should I do?

Thank you!
Amy M.
Thu, 18 Jul 2013
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi,
Thank you for posting your question here, I will try to answer it to the best of my abilities.

A positive ANA doesnt necessarily mean that there is something wrong with you. ANA levels can rise even due to a viral infection, other than that they are known to be at higher levels in older patients and also rise because of the effect of other medication that you might be taking.
So I would recommend you discuss these options with your doctor, because it seems to me that the values are high only because of your age and since you have no other symptoms, it isnt a problem.

I hope this answered your question.
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General & Family Physician,  Dr. Nehal Mehta's  Response
hello,
thank you for using health care magic,
ANA is just a screening test not confirmatory.. it can be positive because of many condition like vairal or bacterial infection,some medicine can also yutn it positive.. some times it can be positive in normal person also..so no need to worry..but just keep on eye if you feel you having symptom like wt loss, arthritis, rash,etc consult doctor..
hope this helped you
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Tested Positive For ANA Screens Several Times. Advised Seeing Rheumatologist. No Symptoms. Advice

Hi, Thank you for posting your question here, I will try to answer it to the best of my abilities. A positive ANA doesnt necessarily mean that there is something wrong with you. ANA levels can rise even due to a viral infection, other than that they are known to be at higher levels in older patients and also rise because of the effect of other medication that you might be taking. So I would recommend you discuss these options with your doctor, because it seems to me that the values are high only because of your age and since you have no other symptoms, it isnt a problem. I hope this answered your question.