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Ana Test (autoantibody Tests): Are Celiacs Positive?

Cheret

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Cheret Rookie
Cheret
Posted

I was having some nerve issues in my foot so the neurologist did some test and found I had a positive ANA test: 1:320 speckled. He suggested I see a rheumatologist to check for arthritis. But since Celiac is an autoimmune disease, can that be what that test is showing? I already know I have celiac disease--been gluten-free for 3 years now--and I know I have slight arthritis in my back. thanks

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Mother of Jibril Enthusiast
Mother of Jibril
Posted

Hi Cheret,

ANA is a general term for autoantibodies (antibodies designed to destroy your own cells). Since you've been gluten-free for three years I doubt that's the cause of the positive test. IMO, you would be smart to see a rheumatologist to check your sed rate (ESR), rheumatoid factor (RF), and look for more specific antibodies. In lupus, for example, it's not uncommon to make a variety of antibodies to your own blood cells, proteins, etc... That could definitely be the cause of your back pain. Hopefully it's not :) How old are you?

JennyC Enthusiast
JennyC
Posted

ANA has nothing to do with celiac disease, except perhaps that autoimmune diseases are often present together. ANA stands for anti-nuclear antibodies, meaning that you're making antibodies against nuclear material. There are different types of nuclear antibodies dependent upon the exact material you are making an antibody against, or the manifesting autoimmune condition.

ANA speckled pattern may be suggestive of one of the following autoimmune states:

systemic lupus erythematosus

Mixed Connective Tissue Disease

Sjogren Syndrome

This website may be helpful:

Open Original Shared Link

RA is associated with the presence of rheumatoid factor, an antibody against antibodies. This many interfere with the results of many immunoassays, including ANA. They need to test you for rheumatoid factor.

luvs2eat Collaborator
luvs2eat
Posted

I had an elevated ANA (1:600 or something) several years after going gluten-free. My doctor sent me to a rheumotologist who I saw every 6 months for 18 months. It never changed or developed into anything. I had no symptoms of Lupus so let me go. I don't know if it has anything to do w/ Celiac.

Gemini Experienced
Gemini
Posted
I had an elevated ANA (1:600 or something) several years after going gluten-free. My doctor sent me to a rheumotologist who I saw every 6 months for 18 months. It never changed or developed into anything. I had no symptoms of Lupus so let me go. I don't know if it has anything to do w/ Celiac.

Yup....this was my experience also only I never did go to see a rheumatologist because I have 4 autoimmune diseases, which all present with inflammation. I am a believer that having Celiac alone can affect blood work and keep it that way, even if all your Celiac related blood work goes back to normal.

Celiac is the mother of all inflammatory diseases because it can affect every organ in your body. Not only do I have a very high ANA but also have a very high Rheumatoid Factor. However, I have absolutely no symptoms or signs of the diseases that spike these 2 tests. As I prefer not to be micro-managed by the AMA and have endless doctor appointments, for now, I am choosing to stay strictly gluten-free and do nothing else. If symptoms develop, then it might be appropriate to see a Rheumy but not now.

As these diseases are very hard to diagnose anyway, why worry yourself needlessly if a person is totally asymptomatic?

As for any neuro symptoms, these can be attributed to Celiac alone also so it is going to be a hard call.

Depends on how far you want to take it.

  • 1 year later...
Looking for answers Contributor
Looking for answers
Posted

I also have elevated ANAs, but never had symptoms of Sjogren's Syndrome, even though I was diagnosed for it. My eyes were thoroughly checked and produced tears perfectly. I truly feel gluten has more to do with it than anything.

Frances03 Enthusiast
Frances03
Posted

Me too on the elevated ANA. They have never diagnosed it as anything, though several times I have been told I may have a MILD lupus. I dont think I really have lupus, and the only other autoimmune disorder I have is hashimoto's. I think it may be from the Celiac too.

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SaraKat Contributor
SaraKat
Posted

I was told no. I had an ANA test a couple months ago and it was negative so when I got the celiac DX I was shocked, but the Dr said that ANA doesn't test for celiac.

GlutenFreeManna Rising Star
GlutenFreeManna
Posted

I had a positive ANA test when they were looking for the possibility of Lupus. I had to go back for a follow up test that was more specific and it came back negative for Lupus. I wish that I had looked into the tests and what they were really measuring now. The strange thing is that during my first test I had been in a lot of pain, but when I went back for the follow up I didn't have much pain at all (this was in the early onset of my neuro symptoms that would come and go). The doctor said there was no relation between my pain level and the test results, but I do wonder.

  • 2 weeks later...
Zizzle Newbie
Zizzle
Posted

Not only do I have a very high ANA but also have a very high Rheumatoid Factor. However, I have absolutely no symptoms or signs of the diseases that spike these 2 tests. As I prefer not to be micro-managed by the AMA and have endless doctor appointments, for now, I am choosing to stay strictly gluten-free and do nothing else. If symptoms develop, then it might be appropriate to see a Rheumy but not now.

I have the same thing. My ANA has been 1:1280 for 5 years. Rheumatoid factor is 27, Anti-smooth muscle antibody is 57. These are very high titers and the docs are expecting MCTD or autoimmune hepatitis to develop, but so far I only have microscopic colitis and gluten intolerance (not confirmed celiac yet). I'm gluten free hoping it will stop hepatitis before it starts (preventing a life of full-time steroids or liver transplant). I get bloodwork by my PCP every 6 months to monitor antibodies and chemistry, and am seeing a celiac specialist who may be able to shed more light. The antibodies were first found due to a itchy post-partum rash, malar rash on my face, and sun sensitivity, but it all went away when I stopped nursing at a year. Had another pregnancy and no problems (except colitis a year later). I feel like a ticking time-bomb, but try to ignore it.

  • 6 months later...
Marilyn R Community Regular
Marilyn R
Posted

I have the same thing. My ANA has been 1:1280 for 5 years. Rheumatoid factor is 27, Anti-smooth muscle antibody is 57. These are very high titers and the docs are expecting MCTD or autoimmune hepatitis to develop, but so far I only have microscopic colitis and gluten intolerance (not confirmed celiac yet). I'm gluten free hoping it will stop hepatitis before it starts (preventing a life of full-time steroids or liver transplant). I get bloodwork by my PCP every 6 months to monitor antibodies and chemistry, and am seeing a celiac specialist who may be able to shed more light. The antibodies were first found due to a itchy post-partum rash, malar rash on my face, and sun sensitivity, but it all went away when I stopped nursing at a year. Had another pregnancy and no problems (except colitis a year later). I feel like a ticking time-bomb, but try to ignore it.

This is an old post but I'm hopeful that someone can help me shed some light on my results. (My doctors haven't bothered to call, but I was fortunate enough to pick up copies of my blood tests.) I have been referred to a rheumy, but that appt isn't until next week.

ANA 1.80 Homogeneous pattern

ENA screen:

RNP Antibodies 2.9 (Normal is 0.0 - 0.9)

Any advice or experience with this? (I've been pretty stressed about this, but all other tests came back within normal limits except blood glucose level was one point over the upper limit, but it was a fasting blood test, so my PCP discounted it.

Would love any advice from anyone who knows about this or who has experienced weird results like this....

Looking for answers Contributor
Looking for answers
Posted

5% of the normal population has ANAs and are completely healthy. I have them as well but they have never progressed into anything. If you don't have any worrisome symptoms I wouldn't put much more thought into it. I spent a lot of needless moments in my life scared to death that I would have another autoimmune problem...wish I wouldn't have done that now. I believe following a gluten free and very healthy diet will help me keep my ANAs in check.

twe0708 Community Regular
twe0708
Posted

So just curios for those who test positive, how often do you have blood work done to make sure everything is still in order?

SaraKat Contributor
SaraKat
Posted

dupe

Marilyn R Community Regular
Marilyn R
Posted

Thank you Sara, I appreciate the good advice. I think I just need to simmer down. I was stressed about the results and your answer was perfect.

Twe, I don't know how old you are, but every 6-12 months for a blood draw is the norm for my age ... older people usually have their blood drawn more often (I'm in my 50's), younger people usually have their blood drawn less often unless there is an onset of a new problem.

  • 3 years later...
Jdine Newbie
Jdine
Posted

I believe that celiac affects the ANA test. I have DH and here are my results.

ANA titer 1:160 speckled

RNP 2.5

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