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Is there any connection with a positive ANA and MS?
Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2008 8:29 pm
by birdie33
Hi~I am wondering if there is any connection with a positive ANA and having MS? Also wondering about elevated liver enzymes (or auto immune liver disease)? How about Iron deficiency Anemia?
Are these common things among the MS diagnosed?
I look forward to hearing from you all~
birdie33
Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 4:30 am
by jimmylegs
i think they test ANA when not all of your symptoms are consistent with MS.
Multiple Sclerosis - Lab Tests
http://www.emedicine.com/neuro/TOPIC228.HTM
they would test for liver enzymes to see if it's safe to give you certain medications, i think. if they're already high, they'd want to try to stay away from certain drugs.
iron deficiency is a good thing to avoid, they want to rule out lots of things before they put you in the MS category. they should be testing your B12 and folate also.
hope that helps,
JL
Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 10:35 am
by Wonderfulworld
Hi Birdie
I have had +ANA and have had aneamia too. Don't know the significance of that though, it could be unrelated to my MS.
Sorry I can't be of more help,
Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2008 3:39 am
by Sandrine
!!??
Positive ANA and aneamia could mean Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). There is also Neuro-SLE which can mimick MS. It is an important differential diagnosis of multiple sclerosis!
Usually ANA etc. are tested to be sure it is MS and not something else. They should be negative, as far as I know.
What are the results of your spinal tap etc.?
Sandrine
Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2008 11:55 am
by Wonderfulworld
Hi Sandrine
I know in my case I haven't got SLE - I was tested again for it recently and it was negative. I believe sometimes ANA can appear in healthy individuals and can be transitory. Anaemia is so commen, espcially in women, that it might not be related at all.
But Birdie I think you should ask to be tested for Lupus just in case because there can be a lot of overlap between MS/Lupus symptoms.