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A member asked:

If one with connective tissue disease is having a true flare up, could labs (other than +ana) be normal? and do rheumatologists have opposing views?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

ANA: ANA is not a good measure of disease flare ups. Sedimentation rate and CRP are blood tests that can go up with increases in inflammation in the body.

Answered 6/10/2014

4.7k views

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Related Questions

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Appt in mo. For rheumatologist as pos ANA 3 mos ago, muscles weaker, drop things, very strng knee reflx, maybe mixed connective tissue disease, ra, sjogren memory bad, bro w ms. Nero? E.R.? 6 kids, xmas

A doctor has provided 1 answer

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ANA and Anti SSA(Ro) are positive. Anti ds dna/ Anti ccp/ c4 /ESR are little more than normal range.My rheumatologist said although you have no symptoms but take Hydroxychloroquine for2 years to prevent autoimmun disease.Should I take medicine?

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Malar rash,photosensitivy,sicca ,mouth/nose sores,Recurring flares, leukopenia, ANA 1:640.All other labs neg.Rhuem dx'd lupus.Possible w/normal labs?

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Can very high positive ANA alone possibly make one feel tired and just not well when other labs are currently normal in person with lupus/sjogren.How?

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Had 5 ANA +reflex labs within 1 year. Three came back elevated (one very high) 2 normal. Any particular reason for the fluctuation?

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