I found out recently that I had a miscarriage.... Now my doctor tells me that when she ran some tests that I had an abnormal antinuclear antibody test. What does this mean?
not being rude here, but why didnt you ask the doctor? Why is everyone so afraid to question their doctor ?
Your doctor really should have explained what this is. I do not know sorry , have you tried looking on the internet? If I were you I would call my doctor tomorrow and ask her to explain exactly what the problem is/was.
I had to Google what this was, I've never heard of it. There are quite a few possibilities as to what this means but it seems to be linked to an autoimmune disease. Here's a link that I think makes sense in your situation:
http://fertilitytesting.co.uk/advanced_tests/antinuclear_...
Do you have another appointment with your doctor so she can tell you what your test means? I can't believe that she didn't tell you what she was drawing the blood for initially. I'm sorry to hear about your miscarriage, I hope you are ok.
If your insurance will cover it, you may benefit from a second opinion from a specialist who will offer more information for you before you leave the dr office.
Sorry to hear about the miscarriage-- i read it is common for women to often have miscarriages and never know.
Why did your doctor "run tests" anyway? Were you experiencing problems or pains?
Try webmd. This website is a very good resource for medical questions.
S., I'm sorry for your loss. I had two miscarriages so I understand how you feel. I too had blood test run after the second and it came up that I also had a positive ANA. This test is indicative of an autoimmune disorder. They will probably test you for lupus, osteoarthritis as well as others. I suggest getting a second opinion from a rheumatologist who will do all sorts of tests and you probably have had other symptoms and didn't realize they were. I know you are all the way down in Tinley Park but I recommend a doc by the name of Thomas Palella who is on staff at Northwest Community Hospital where I work (and a number of my coworkers go to him as well). His office is at Holy Family Hospital. He is absolutely wonderful and whom I credit my 6month old daughter to. He even gave me his own personal cell phone when he was on vacation in case I had any complications or problems while he was gone. I've never felt rushed by him and feel like I can tell him anything. Those are all good signs of a great doctor. Good luck.
K.
First sorry about your loss. Secondly I have also had a positive ANA test. It all depends on how hi the result. You should ask the doctor why she felt it necessary to run the test. Did you have pain? My hands and joints hurt me so that is why they ran one on me. Mine is 1:40 which is the lowest positive it could be. I have read research on people with very high ANA results have miscarriges. What you will need to do just to get peace of mind is see a Rheumatoligist. Whatever it is, ANA deals with auto-immune diseases. There are a lot of different ones. I hope this helped.
Go see a reproductive immunologist and do not try to get pg until you get on the right medication or you will just end of miscarrying again and the more you do the harder it will be later. Dr. Joanne Kwak-Kim is excellent she will not prescribe humira , many drs will not. Go see her and od her test she will help you tons! good luck. I had 7 miscarriages and yes I had a live birth! let me kwo if you have any other questions, I too was ANA+. Do you have lupus or RA?
J.
