Lupus Support Group

Lupus is an auto-immune disease in which the immune system cannot distinguish between threats (like viruses and bacteria), and healthy cells and tissue. As a result, the body produces antibodies that inflict cell damage, most commonly targeting joints, skin, kidneys and the nervous system. Join the group and find support for coping with lupus.

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UlrikeCT 02/20/2014

Hi,
My ANA and anti ds/DNA has been positive since 1998. Numbers vary but always positive. Sometimes they were other antibodies positive like anti Jo1, RNP and Scl 70.They have been checked by my rheumy and sometimes my PC, kidney specialist or cardiologist, average 3x a year. Meaning the last 16 years they were tested around 50 or more times.
Now today I got into my Patient Portal (rheumy) to check results from blood drawn 2 weeks ago and I am totally surprised. Everything negative.
What does this mean, any clues??

naturetree 02/20/2014

Hi Ulrike
Ive heard of this happening to other people.sometimes they will be ana positive and then ana negative.Not sure of the other tests.I dont know what it means though.How have you been feeling lately? Is it possible that the meds you are on affected the tests or put you in a remission state?..still 16 years is a long time to have consistent results.wish i could be of more help.Hopefully others have a better idea..

nanny1611 02/20/2014

Here is an article about ANA-negative lupus. My doctor suspected lupus in 2006, but my blood work was always negative. However, in Dec. 2010, a couple skin biopsies verified that I have lupus. My understanding is that blood must be drawn at the right time to come back positive, and that ANA-negative doesn't mean an absence of lupus. It makes diagnosis more frustrating IMHO.
http://lupus.about.com/od/typesoflupus/p/LupANANeg.htm

UlrikeCT 02/20/2014

thanks guys
I am still very confused about this. I have the SLE diagnosis for 16 years now. The ANA was always positive and the ds/DNA which is very diagnostic for Lupus always positive. I am feeling worse than ever and my rheumy said 2 weeks ago that he wants me to start IMURAN. Maybe the lab made a mistake? In a way it does not matter, I have my dx and I know I am not in remission. I am calling my rheumy's office tomorrow.

AnnNY 02/21/2014

Most of the time I'm Ana negative, but occasional the Anas pop up. The thing was there were times I felt so bad I was sure I would be positive-- but nothing. Other times I felt pretty good and I was sue they would be negative-- but there they were. I never saw any rhyme nor reason for the way the tests came out. Also, there are just bad tests. They often repeat tests if something unexpected shows up. The blood could have been in a hot car or wasn't processed soon enough. Or maybe your bloods show your meds are working on some level, even if your not feeling it. I wouldn't worry about it one way or another.

UlrikeCT 02/24/2014

my tests were done at Labcorp - somebody told me yesterday that Labcorp has messed up her tests and friends tests - did you ever hear this?

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