What Are The Symptoms Of Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Posted on Mon, 23 Feb 2015

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

Tue, 24 Feb 2015 Answered on

Thu, 19 Mar 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Dr. Naval,
I had a blood draw, so far rhematoid fact is negative at 15, sed rate is 20 and cyclic citt can't remember how to spell the rest is <1 so all negative ANA is still not done. XXXXXXX Eggen

Answered by Dr. Naval Mendiratta (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
? Sjogrens Syndrome

Detailed Answer:
Good evening XXXXXXX

Hope you are doing good. Oh, thats good that RF and Anti CCP are negative. ESR is also not too high. We just need to see the ANa and ENA report and that will give us a clear cut idea if it is really Sjogrens and then maybe we can plan ahead for the Lip Biopsy as well. I suppose your rheumatologist appointment is also around the corner. So let him examine you before we plan for the biopsy.

Do let me know for more queries

Regards
Dr Naval

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Naval Mendiratta (16 minutes later)

I don't think she did an ENA just ANA. No appt yet. I think it will be a while.

Answered by Dr. Naval Mendiratta (15 hours later)

Brief Answer:
blood reports

Detailed Answer:
Good evening

Oh alritey..that's fine..in case it is positive we can go ahead with ena as well. Till then we can wait for the results.

Do keep me posted

Regards
Dr naval

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Naval Mendiratta (26 hours later)

Well I just got my ANA test back and it said: Postive A which according to the legend on the page means abnormal. I didn't see any numbers, but it said underneath.

Pattern: Aytpical homogenous
Comment: Nuclear membrane
Titer: Not indicated.

Answered by Dr. Naval Mendiratta (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
ANA Result

Detailed Answer:
Good evening

Well the ANA positivity and pattern dont look normal. I am not sure why they didnt report the titres as ANA without Titres have not much significance. You can recheck with them about the Titres and get an ENA profile done as well. That will give us a clear cut idea of what all antibodies are positive under ANA.

But just make sure they are doing it right. We cant have ENA profile also without the titres available.

Just make sure you ask them the method before you give your blood sample for it.

Let me know the results

Regards
Dr Naval

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

Follow up: Dr. Naval Mendiratta (6 hours later)

Well I just heard from my doc and she called it a false postive and didn't mention an ENA, but to still have my Ruematologist appointment. I'm so disspapointed and feel like I'm back to square 1.

Answered by Dr. Naval Mendiratta (22 hours later)

Brief Answer:
ANA result

Detailed Answer:
GOod evening

Sorry for the late reply. Oh dont worry, being negative doesnt rule out SJogrens. I am not sure how she has reported here as first it was positive and then it became negative. Just wait to consult your rheumatologist and let them recommend the correct lab to get it done. Even if it negative, it is a good sign but it still can be sjogrens. So dont lose hopes, we need to narrow down on your diagnosis

Regards
Dr Naval

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

Follow up: Dr. Naval Mendiratta (10 minutes later)

Thank you! Probably will be 4 months to get in to see him! Oh well not much I can do about it.

Answered by Dr. Naval Mendiratta (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
? Sjogrens

Detailed Answer:
Thats such a long time. Kind of a tough situation. In our place, you can see 4 rheumatologist in 4 days period if needed. Not much to do with waiting period.

Do let me know for more queries. Would be happy to answer them

Regards
Dr Naval

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T