Does Thyroid Disorder Cause Positive ANA Test Result?

Posted on Wed, 11 Mar 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 11 Mar 2015 Answered on

Tue, 31 Mar 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : In 2009 I had a positive ANA test. I am now having pain in joints all over my body and swelling in hands, legs, and feet. Tired, constipation, headaches, moody, along with other things. I recently had blood work completed and everything was ok, but a few things. My C-REactive Protein was 1.05 (mild inflammation) and DSDNA was 189. I was told this could be lupus related, but I also have Graves disease which was diagnosed in 1998 and treated with radioactive iodine to kill my thyroid off in 2004. I am now hypothyroid, but under control with Levothyroxine. Do you think that I could possibly have lupus, or could the tests be off from my thyroid issues in the past? And if so, what is causing my symptoms that r not going away?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Shruti Rijhwani (34 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Well I think it can be because of Lupus.

Detailed Answer:
Dear Madam,

Thank you for posting your query on HCM.

Well looking into your problem I would like to tell you that you are right in saying that in Graves disease also ANA positivity can occur but anti ds DNA will not be positive in that . This is an antibody that signifies kidney involvement in SLE .

In my opinion you should follow your doctors advise and see a rheumatologist at the earliest , you will require ENA profile , Urine r/m to look for proteinuria , CPK , Anti Sm antibody for further lupus evaluation . You should not delay this as medicine needs to be started after forming a diagnosis .

Any other concern please ask.

Take care.

Dr. Shruti

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Pradeep Vitta