ANA Positive??

Platelet count is up in 300k. However, just got a call from my dermatologist (who i went to see about hair loss) that my iron is high, Ferritin is extremely low, and my ANA test was positive. He says I should go see a rheumatologist. Anyone know what this could mean? Lupus? Worried...

Okay, here's the thing. Too many doctors say "positive ANA" but what matters is the titer. An ANA can go like this:

1:20 - normal
1:40 - still normal
1:80 - borderline positive
1:160 - elevated
1:360 - more elevated
1:720 - highly elevated

It just keeps doubling and the higher it is, the greater the chance of an autoimmune disorder, not necessarily Lupus. Some doctors see the 1:40 or 1:80 and assume Lupus. That couldn't be further from the truth. A slightly elevated ANA can occur with ITP, or can be elevated for no reason at all. The ANA detects inflammation, that's all. A GP once scared my sister like that with an ANA of 1:40. She was referred to a Rheumatologist and she is fine.

You should find out what the titer is. That makes a huge difference. Seeing a Rheumatologist isn't a bad idea since ITP can be a first symptom of Lupus. A basic Lupus screening could be useful at a later time if problems arise. In the meantime, don't worry. This could be nothing. Do you have any other Lupus symptoms such as symmetrical joint pain, fevers, rashes on your face, etc?

Thank you, that is very helpful. I don't know my titer was but I have none of those symptoms. I feel healthy, I guess i'm just worried because I felt fine when my platelets were 1,000 too! I assume inflammation could just be from all the treatments and steroids! pheww.

Steroids will actually lower inflammation and inflammatory tests. If you feel healthy, that s the most important thing. When I was diagnosed with Lupus, I felt awful.

I'd talk to your doctor though about dealing with the low ferritin.