Ok so I tested positive last year for the rheumatoid factor HOWEVER I am testing negative for the Ana test. I have also tested positive for Lyme but the doc said it is not that. I have ALL the symptoms for ra but this issue is just unsettling. Has anyone come across anything like this?
Answer Summary
Members shared their varied diagnostic journeys in response to someone testing positive for rheumatoid factor but negative for ANA, with many... Read more
I understand the same thing as Joan. That the CCP is the best indicator of RA. My journey began with just a general feeling of my joints hurting too much for my age (I had the same complaints as my 70+ mother! ). Bloodwork from my primary care showed severe deficiency in Vitamin D and a positive CCP. (Further precautionary tests showed Osteopenia so good to check for that too.) What prompted the doctor visit initially though was wrist and forearm pain. The strange thing is that soon after all that, I still remember the date, my hands and feet suddenly felt like they were being 'attacked.' Nothing has been the same since.
Gabby anti CCP is very specific for RA. But if you tested positive for Lyme's you might want to get a second opinion because you may need treatment for that. I don't know -- does it have a high false positive rate? I've never been tested for it. Regarding the ANA, I test borderline but my rheumy said I don't have lupus. It is not uncommon for people with one autoimmune disease to have other autoimmune issues.
its not the Ana you need, you need the Anti CCP test for RA, if ANA is positive, it could mean u have lupus, but my ana was negative, but my anticcp was high and thats usually the one to tell if you have RA, now thats what i read and have been told.
have you had an Anticcp test done, need one of those, that can tell the tale most of the time, the ANA mostly has to do with lupus and maybe other autoimmune diseases.
you can have a false positive for lyme, get a anticcp, ESR and CRP done