When ana is positive 1:160, homogeneous and dsdna shows up (3.3) less than 7 being normal, does this exclude sle? how is any amount of dsdna "normal"?

Don't overintepret: 1st ?: lupus is a diagnosis based on symptoms, not labs. Someone can have (+) ana, (-) dsdna, and symptoms that can be best explained by lupus, so they have lupus. Alternatively, someone else can have (+) ANA & dsdna, but no symptoms. They do not have lupus. 2nd ?: just because something is high means it's abnormal. A unproven but latest hypothesis: dsdna ab might be a result of normal immunity.