I am diagnosed hypothyroid and with Hashimoto's disease. I have been on Levothyroxine now for 3 years and my levels are now in normal range. But I am still constantly tired ALL the time, swollen anterior lymph nodes for 10 months and constsnt low grade fever for 10 months. My mother and Aunt both have Lupus. Which is why I tested for it. My ANA is positive, but didn't have the levels tested. Just siad positive. But my RA factor and crp is normal. Could I still have Lupus? What other test should I have? Rheumatoid Arthritis Factor
RA Latex Turbid. 10.9
IU/mL
0.0 - 13.9
C-Reactive Protein, Cardiac
0.28
mg/L
0.00 - 3.00
ANA
ANA Direct Positive Abnormal
Anti-DNA (DS) Ab Qn <1
IU/mL
0 - 9
I also had a iron panel done which all came back normal. But I took iron for before my test. Not sure if that matters or not. I usually test a little low. I didn't know you wern't suppose to eat things with iron before test. anyway, I also tested low for Alkaline Phosphatase, S at 32 Low for a range of 39 to 117. Not sure of the significance? I also get nausous everytime I eat. My urinalisis showed:
Epithelial Cells (non renal) >10 Abnormal
0 - 10
Mucus Threads Present
Bacteria Few
WBC Esterase Trace Abnormal
Not sure if this is signifant?
Any advice on were to go from here or what other test I may need would be appreciated. I am so sick and tired of being sick and tired...lol. Thank you!
Hey sweetmelissa,
I too have Hashimoto's Disease and had my thyroid removed a little over a year ago. At the time they biopsied my thyroid after removing I only had microscopic colitis....now I have asthma, inflammatory arthritis ( which they think is RA but test was neg) and have had a rash on my chest, back and stomach for almost a year now. The thing about Hashi is it invites all kinds of auto ammune conditions in at any time and they say once your thyroid function gets normal there is less chance. Mine is still not normal, has been hyper since thyroid removed so I am so blessed with all the new syndrones hitting me and I am now on plaquenil and methrotrexate so hoping they work. Good luck in finding a diagnosis, they may do an ultra sound on wherever your feeling arthritis symptoms, thats how mine got dx...there was fluid around my knuckles and hardned tendons....good luck!
Thank you Patti.. yes, I am certain there is something else wrong with me. Right at this moment , well for the past 2 weeks I have all of the sudden started to feel better. My lymph nodes went down and my low grade fever went away along with the fautige. I am scared to pursue other test if I am not in A "flare up" right now because I read that if your not in a flare up then the test may come up negative. So I am going to wait until and if my problems come back. Thank you for the information Patti. I appreciate you taking the time to giving some answers. I felt horrible for about 10 months. I am so happy I feel better at the moment. Not 100%, but I hope I will get there. I hope you are feeling better now that you are on the right medications and I hope you continue to feel better! Thank you.
Yay! Im so happy for you and yes...wait until and if another flare up or test will be off. Good Luck!
People with lupus often have a positive ANA, but a positive ANA doesn't mean you have lupus. It's also possible to have some level of ANAs present, but suffer from no autoimmune conditions or symptoms. Generally, the older you get, the more likely it is for an ANA test to return positive, even without autoimmunity present.
However, there is a higher risk of eventually developing lupus if there is a family history of the condition and an ANA test is positive. It'd be wise to keep an eye on this and test again for ANA, C-reactive protein, and sed rate if you start experiencing any symptoms. Normal CRP and ESR tend to rule out systemic conditions like lupus because they show that inflammation isn't present.
Thanks mjaxx. That helps me to understand better what may have been going on. I was wondering why my other test where within normal range. I do have Hashimoto's autoimmune thyroidis already. I read that that within inself can cause a positive ana but usually only in low tithers around 40 or so. Not sure what mine were, only know that it only comes up positive if 120 or higher. So, I'm a little on edge because I read the if you have one autoimmune disease that you are likely to acquire more. Thank you, you have helped put my mind on ease. I am feeling better now anyway... Thank you mjaxx!