Pei
06-09-2005, 10:41 AM
Hello,
I'm a 25-year-old lady. I have been having some mild hair loss problem for the past few years. Recently, I went to a dermatology clinic for this problem. In view of the hair loss problem at my age group, the doctor has ordered some blood tests for investigation.
Three weeks later, I went back for follow-up. My lab results were:
ANA was reactive, with a titer of 1:160, and a homogenous pattern. Besides that, my C4 (complement 4) was low as well, but with a normal value of C3. Nevertheless, my anti-ds-DNA was negative, and the full blood count, renal profile and liver function test were normal.
Apart from the hair loss problem, I was totally asymptomatic, with no rashes and no arthritis/arthalgia.
The doctor has explained my condition to me, and said that at this point what we need to do is just for regular follow-up and monitoring. A repeat blood test for ANA, anti-ds-DNA, as well as extratable nuclear antigens (ENA) were ordered.
My next appointment at the clinic will be in August. However, i have traced the results of the blood tests. Rather to my surprise, my ANA became non-reactive this time. And since in this hospital, the policy of the laboratory is that with a negative ANA, they won't proceed further to anti-ds-DNA and ENA. Therefore, I would not have any result of my ENA, as well as the repeat anti-ds-DNA (though my earlier anti-ds-DNA was negative).
It is thus I would like to enquire is there any cases that you know of that a person previously with positive ANA of 1:160 titer, homogenous pattern, but in a repeated test merely less than 3 weeks later, the ANA became negative. And another worry was that my earlier C4 was low, though a repeat was not done.
I do hope that someone can help clear my doubt and worry. Thanks.
I'm a 25-year-old lady. I have been having some mild hair loss problem for the past few years. Recently, I went to a dermatology clinic for this problem. In view of the hair loss problem at my age group, the doctor has ordered some blood tests for investigation.
Three weeks later, I went back for follow-up. My lab results were:
ANA was reactive, with a titer of 1:160, and a homogenous pattern. Besides that, my C4 (complement 4) was low as well, but with a normal value of C3. Nevertheless, my anti-ds-DNA was negative, and the full blood count, renal profile and liver function test were normal.
Apart from the hair loss problem, I was totally asymptomatic, with no rashes and no arthritis/arthalgia.
The doctor has explained my condition to me, and said that at this point what we need to do is just for regular follow-up and monitoring. A repeat blood test for ANA, anti-ds-DNA, as well as extratable nuclear antigens (ENA) were ordered.
My next appointment at the clinic will be in August. However, i have traced the results of the blood tests. Rather to my surprise, my ANA became non-reactive this time. And since in this hospital, the policy of the laboratory is that with a negative ANA, they won't proceed further to anti-ds-DNA and ENA. Therefore, I would not have any result of my ENA, as well as the repeat anti-ds-DNA (though my earlier anti-ds-DNA was negative).
It is thus I would like to enquire is there any cases that you know of that a person previously with positive ANA of 1:160 titer, homogenous pattern, but in a repeated test merely less than 3 weeks later, the ANA became negative. And another worry was that my earlier C4 was low, though a repeat was not done.
I do hope that someone can help clear my doubt and worry. Thanks.