Question 1

i am a 30 year old male. i have small fiber neuropathy diagnosed by skin biopsy. i had a positive ana test at 1:160 with a homogenous pattern. other specific autoimmune testing was negative. is it possible i have an autoimmune disease?

Accepted Answer

: Uncovering the cause of a small fiber neuropathy may be challenging, especially if a 3-site skin punch biopsy pattern is non-length dependent.  Your ANA is not conclusive at this point, and other diagnoses should be considered.  Find a neuromuscular specialist and get further studies.  Yes, autoimmune disease is indeed one possibility but there are several others.

Question 2

progressive hearingloss since 2007. in 2012 , speech perception gone .diagnosis revealed  i have auditory neuropathy .ana border line positive 1:100 ?

Accepted Answer

Autoimmune hearing :  Autoimmune hearing loss is difficult to diagnose. You don't have a specific lab test but there have been many possible tests investigated over the years. The + ANA may not be related but you need a specific evaluation to confirm the correct diagnosis

Question 3

looking for autoimmune diseases, if an ana comes back negative, what other tests can we run to find one? suspected peripheral neuropathy

Accepted Answer

Many: You can order a whole host of auto-antiboy titers but ANA is a pretty good screening test for autoimmune diseases.   Talk to your doctor about it.

Question 4

slightly elevated ace with normal crp and esr also normal c3 and c4. ana 1:640. i have small fiber poly neuropathy. insight please?does this look bad?

Accepted Answer

Neuropathy: It would be nice to know if you are taking any medications.  
Neuropathy can be a symptom of many different problems, including but not limited to.  Infection, metabolic diseases(diabetes), medication side efffects, hormone imbalances(thyroid), mitochondrial dysfunction, heavy metal toxicity, other organic polutants, and auto-immune diseases.

Good luck.

Question 5

break out in hives in sun, migrating athralgia, rashes, fatigue, muscle weakness, neuropathy but neg ana ena fbc etc. surely must be early lupus?

Accepted Answer

Anxiety disorder: Anxiety is a subjective state of tension, apprehension, worry, uneasiness or fear. It may be related to anticipated danger or arise for no apparent reason. While mild episodes of anxiety are common and do not usually require treatment, more severe forms can be chronic and debilitating. Symptoms of severe anxiety: insomnia, sweating, palpitations, tremors, and fatigue. See you pcp for the referral.

Question 6

what blood tests should be requested for 'peripheral neuropathy' symptoms & easy bruising? (ana already tested and negative result, full blood count fine) needing more advice on speciality bloods as have had most of the standard tests completed?

Accepted Answer

: Copper deficiency should be ruled out especially the subject takes zinc supplement or having gastrointestinal illness(es). Good luck.

Question 7

dry eye and sometime dry mouth,have neuropathy,clear mri,mild joint pain,ana 1:40 fine speckled patt,ssa and ssb,rf and anti dna are negative,sjogren?

Accepted Answer

Comments: When you describe your symptoms, I think of Sjogren's.  Although you have had the correct studies, might consider some additional testing.  A rheumatologist can guide you.  Good luck.

Question 8

positive ana 1:80 speckeled, p.o.t.s syndrome, fat malabsorption, would this link to scelerderma, i cannot think of any other issue, :-( that connects?

Accepted Answer

May not be one cause: Autoimmune diseases can cause all your symptoms, however, a low positive ANA is non specific. Fat malabsoprtion can be seen in pancreatic disease with sjogren's & +ana. Also, hypermobility syndrome which is associated with autonomic dysfunction, mast cell activation disorder, food allergies, and folate (folic acid) metabolism issues also presents in young females, unrelated to autoimmune disese. Get a workup.

Question 9

what can i expect to come next? i've a positive p-anca positive c-anca and positive ana! what does this really mean?

Accepted Answer

Talk to rheum: You need to consult a rheumatologist . Even though the positive tests point to the presence of vasculitis, by themselves they have no meaning.

Question 10

what causes a positive ana?

Accepted Answer

Autoimmune disease: ANA (anti-nuclear antibody) is a blood test used by doctors that indicates the presence of an autoimmune condition in which the body's immune system is predisposed to recognize normal things in your body as foreign invaders that need to be attacked.  The results are not specific for any particular disease if positive, but are a preliminary test, after which a range of possibilities are considered.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Neuropathy and positive ANA

A member asked:

I am a 30 year old male. i have small fiber neuropathy diagnosed by skin biopsy. i had a positive ana test at 1:160 with a homogenous pattern. other specific autoimmune testing was negative. is it possible i have an autoimmune disease?

A member asked:

Progressive hearingloss since 2007. in 2012 , speech perception gone .diagnosis revealed i have auditory neuropathy .ana border line positive 1:100 ?

A member asked:

Looking for autoimmune diseases, if an ana comes back negative, what other tests can we run to find one? suspected peripheral neuropathy

A member asked:

Slightly elevated ace with normal crp and esr also normal c3 and c4. ana 1:640. i have small fiber poly neuropathy. insight please?does this look bad?

A member asked:

Break out in hives in sun, migrating athralgia, rashes, fatigue, muscle weakness, neuropathy but neg ana ena fbc etc. surely must be early lupus?

A member asked:

What blood tests should be requested for 'peripheral neuropathy' symptoms & easy bruising? (ana already tested and negative result, full blood count fine) needing more advice on speciality bloods as have had most of the standard tests completed?

A member asked:

Dry eye and sometime dry mouth,have neuropathy,clear mri,mild joint pain,ana 1:40 fine speckled patt,ssa and ssb,rf and anti dna are negative,sjogren?

A member asked:

Positive ana 1:80 speckeled, p.o.t.s syndrome, fat malabsorption, would this link to scelerderma, i cannot think of any other issue, :-( that connects?

A member asked:

What can i expect to come next? i've a positive p-anca positive c-anca and positive ana! what does this really mean?

A member asked:

What causes a positive ana?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?