Hi,I am Dr. Subhankar Chakraborty (Gastroenterologist). I will be looking into your question and guiding you through the process. Please write your question below.
Ten years ago I went through Treatment for Hepatitis C with Interferon Alpha & Ribavirin my immune system seems to have become increasingly compromised. Pneumonia X 3 in 2 yrs, Renal Failure last year. I just had labs done a few days ago and they display an Elevated ANA. My understanding is that this isn t the best of news at going on 63 yo in September?
Hi & Welcome. The presence of elevated antinuclear antibodies or ANAs are suggestive of autoimmune disease.
Your immune system normally makes antibodies to help you fight infection. In contrast, antinuclear antibodies often attack your body's own tissues — autoantibodies specifically targeting each cell's nucleus.
Elevated ANAs are the hallmarks of autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, sjögren’s syndrome, polymyositis/dermatomyositis, mixed connective tissue disease, drug-induced lupus, and autoimmune hepatitis.
In view of the above possibilities, I would therefore advise you to consult a physician or rheumatologist for proper clinical examination and to find out the exact cause of raised ANAs.
Hope these answer your query.
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What Does Elevated ANA Suggest?
Hi & Welcome. The presence of elevated antinuclear antibodies or ANAs are suggestive of autoimmune disease. Your immune system normally makes antibodies to help you fight infection. In contrast, antinuclear antibodies often attack your body s own tissues — autoantibodies specifically targeting each cell s nucleus. Elevated ANAs are the hallmarks of autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, sjögren’s syndrome, polymyositis/dermatomyositis, mixed connective tissue disease, drug-induced lupus, and autoimmune hepatitis. In view of the above possibilities, I would therefore advise you to consult a physician or rheumatologist for proper clinical examination and to find out the exact cause of raised ANAs. Hope these answer your query.