[dlrfoto]

Hello-
My Dr. did an ANA test recently that came back positive with a homogeneous pattern. I've been having fatigue, mussel weakness and achy, stiff joints...especially hips. Basically, I spend much of my time feeling like a wet, limp noodle. I also have a high white blood and platelet count which I know isn't typical of SLE but I'm wondering if it's possible. In addition, I have a high c-reactive protein count. Not sure what that means. Any feed back would be most appreciated.
Thanks
Donna

 

[Lily]

Hi Donna and :welcome:

A couple of questions so that we might be able to help............

Do you know the numbers of your ANA test?

Do you know the breakdown on your high white cell count i.e. which white cells were raised?

and do you know how high your platelets were, if they were just a bit raised then it's probably not a concern, but if they were way above that would mean more.

A raised CRP usually indicates inflammation and there are different possibilities. Amongst them are rheumatic conditions (Lupus or RA), Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Crohns disease, Ulcerative colitis etc. etc.

Do you know what other tests your doc has run?

I hope you enjoy the site and feel free to ask any further questions and tell us a little about yourself

love
Lily

 

[dlrfoto]

counts

My ANA was 1,640
My white count was 14.5
Neutrophils, absolute 9920
Platelets 475

He checked The following which were negative
Thyroid
Lyme
Angiotensin Conv Enzyme
IGA
IBD
P-Anca Titer
Hepatitis

 

[Clare.T]

Hello

Lupus is the most complex of diseases and is frequently very hard to diagnose. It's the doctor's job to interpret test results and each has to be evaluated in the context of other test results, symptoms and patient health history.

There are numerous possible causes for high neutrophils and high platelets but neither is especially associated with lupus. Low white blood cell counts are more common, as far as I can see.
Nor is a high CRP associated with lupus. In fact one of the "alternative" criteria for lupus is a high ESR but normal CRP. This is one of many indicators used to determine if worsening of lupus symptoms could be due to an infection and not lupus itself.

Also these results can vary from time to time and sometimes within days or even hours. So for example you might have an infection that is causing abnormal results at a given time. CRP is a general indication of inflammation from any cause, anything that stimulates the immune system whether autoimmune or not. The platelets and white blood cells can also be a response to immune system activity

With an ANA that high and lupus like symptoms ( or other rheumatic diseases) further more specific tests should be done for antibodies for example. ANA test results are expressed as a titre doubling each time as the solution is diluted twofold to detect the presence of antibodies.
Yours is almost certainly 1:640. The next higher is 1:1280 and the next lower expression would be 1:320.

Those further more specialised tests are more often done by a rheumatologist, depending where one lives. Have a look at the criteria lists and also the articles on the info section of the site for info about diagnosis and lists of tests that are usually done.

If you decide to get a referral to a rheumatologist and lupus seems a distinct possibility try to get one who knows about autoimmune connective tissue diseases like lupus. It can save a lot of hassle in the long run. Getting lupus ruled out or judged most unlikely is also an important step in getting a diagnosis !
The symptoms of lupus resemble those of many other diseases - that's why it's called "the disease of 1000 faces". There are only 4 lupus specifics and not everybody has these markers.
Other possible specialists are hematologists and immunologists.

Good luck - let us know if we can help you further
Clare