Positive anti nuclear factor

[BlackInk]

Hello (Also posted on the autoimmune board, but adding here for traffic...)

I've been perusing my blood test results, which came back in June, and I've just been given access to them online.

Could anyone tell me whether a positive anti nuclear factor level is significant?

The only other result that came back flagged as needing investigation was low B12 at 161 ng/L. Ferratin and folate also lowish but just within range.

My GP hasn't mentioned the anti-nuclear factor result, so I'm guessing they think it's insignificant in itself?

I've got a long and boring list of ongoing symptoms that GP is putting down to menopause/anxiety/depression/hypochondria...

Thank you

It’s common to be positive in lots of people - a positive result alone wouldn’t be significant, only in the context of other results.

No idea about ANF sorry but what are your ferritin and folate levels and ranges? Just within range probably means actually low and contributing / causing your symptoms.

B12 is low and needs treatment, a high dose sublingual help. It needs to be above 500.

Do you have your thyroid results?

Should help*

TakeAChanseyOnMe What I've read is that a positive result is significant if there are symptoms - that ANA can be positive without symptoms in a small percentage of people, but usually only is there's a strong family history of autoimmune conditions. Is that wrong?

AGHHHH I'm sure they said they tested my thyroid, but I can't see the results anywhere. Do you know what they would look like?
My ferritin has been between 10 and 17 over the past year or two (acceptable range 10 to 300).
Folate was 11 a year ago.

I've been taking a liquid iron and b12 supplement most days for the past year.

That ferritin is very low, how is your diet? Iron supplements won’t help at a low dose if your diet is terrible. Are you bleeding a lot if peri menopausal?

ANA (aka ANF) is really only useful if it’s negative. If it’s negative you’re very unlikely to have an autoimmune disease. Positive doesn’t mean much alone.

My diet is pretty good I think. One of my main symptoms is nausea/stomach ache/indigestion but when I feel ok I eat well. I'm vegetarian, but eat plenty of dairy, eggs, pulses, lots of different vegs including leafy greens etc.

I haven't had a period for two years, so no blood loss that way. And I also had an endoscopy a while ago and no ulcers.

I've just found my TSH result. It was 0.8 a year or so ago, so well within normal range I think?

Your ferritin is very low, I don't understand why the range always starts so low. People can be symptomatic, feel exhausted and lose their hair way above this. Try an up your levels by eating more iron rich foods or taking liquid iron i.e. Spatone.

Your TSH is normal but doesn't show the full picture. They often test Free T4 along with it, do you have a result for that?

Even so, those two aren't conclusive of thyroid problems but if both are within range it's more likely to be your low ferritin. Folate could be a bit better but isn't terrible.

Have you had Vitamin D checked?

Thank you

I'm already taking a liquid iron and B12 supplement, but I don't think my vit D has been checked.

I've booked another Gp appointment for a couple of week's time...