Why do symptoms often show up yrs before labs (specific antinuclear antibodies, etc) in a diagnosis of lupus? i'm near diagnosis with only high +ana. what causes the sx?

Lupus is a mystery: Lupus is a famous master of masquerade--it can mimmic many disease states. Lupus symptoms may be present much earlier than when it can be diagnosed, thus lab measurement only provide a guide. This only means the lab has its limitation and medical science has only gotten this far. Don't rely on the lab, but rather rely on your bopdy--maybe something else is going on. Consult your doc. Good luck.

Mystery: Because labs are sometimes insensitive markers of disease. Very low and undetectable (or unknown) substances in the body can produce symptoms. Because symptoms of rheumatologic disease can be vague and nonspecific there is a lay tendency to look at labs to provide an "answer." but many rheumatologic diseases are clinical diagnoses based on history, exam and progression over time.