Possible Lupus Diagnosis
Hi All, I just received my ANA results with a titer of 1:1280 (homogeneous). I have low Vitamin D levels and have been developing hives and rash on my face every two weeks for the last 2 months. Doctors are so evasive when I ask questions and keep telling me I need to wait for more testing with a rheumatologist. My appt is not for another THREE months! I am a nervous wreck. My question is....is there any possibility that I do NOT have Lupus? Seems like with the high levels found in the ANA, it has to be. Any thoughts or opinions? Thanks so much.
I am glad you are here, this community has been useful to many like you who are experiencing symptoms and receiving many different diagnoses, wondering if it is lupus. This site can provide support, information, and perspectives from others living with lupus, but we do not provide medical advice so we cannot interpret your blood work results. We can provide information that the diagnostic criteria for lupus are a Positive antinuclear antibodies (ANA) test with a titer of >1:80 on Hep-2 cells or an equivalent positive test. Here's a link to the full diagnostic criteria: https://lupus.net/diagnostic-criteria.
Unfortunately, I have heard from others the same about the rheumatologist, both that it can be the start of getting some answers and that it can take a long time to meet with them. Seeing them, along with tracking symptoms, can help you toward more clear information. Here is some more info that is useful for those who suspect they have lupus but are struggling to get a diagnosis - https://lupus.net/living/uncertainties.
In the meantime, how are you coping with the hives and rash? Have you been able to see a dermatologist, to maybe get some relief while you are waiting for the rheumatologist visit?Keep us posted on what happens, and how you're feeling.
Liz (lupus.net Team Member)
