My dermatologist did a series of tests including an ANA-EIA which he said came out positive. (I had just gone in for a mole check and mentioned that my hair seemed to be thinning in the temple area. I was undergoing a huge stress at the time and thought it could be related) My ANA reading said 18.2 H positive. The doctor told me that I should check it out with a rheumatologist because it could be lupus, which has totally freaked my out. (I think on the paper, it says normal is .02-12.0.) I feel fine, but in researching auto immune, I see that I must have slight raynauds since my fingernails turn blue when I get really cold. Could that cause my ANA to be positive. My 18.2 number does not seem to match other peoples ANA numbers, so I am not sure where it is on the scale or how high it is. Other health problems that I have are very dry eyes and asthma. I also had a sporadic neurothurmax and an abnormal pap which needed a colposcopy. I am 24. Are any of these things a warning that I could have lupus?? Thank you all so much for any info you can give me.

I don't know why your lab is using those numbers. Are you out of the USA?

Sounds like you do have Raynauds (but keep in mind, I am no doc). My daughter in law has that.
Very dry eyes can be a symptom of Sjogren's Syndrome which I have had positive antibodies for.
The asthma and spontaneous pneumothorax, I don't know about. I have two sons with asthma, one pretty bad but have not had that. That must have been so painful. Sometimes with Asthma, the right doc makes all the difference...it did with my son. The abnormal pap not sure about.

I think seeing a Rheumy would be a very good idea. A lot of us have positive tests and they need to be checked every 6 months - a year. An ANA is too general of a test. There are much more specific tests that would help you know what is causing the elevated ANA.

Take care of yourself!!

No freaking allowed! Seriously, there is no reason to get upset quite yet. A mildly elevated ANA does not mean that you have Lupus. An elevated ANA can happen in perfectly healthy people and can happen in someone with Raynauds (or any autoimmune disorder). Feeling good is a very good sign that chances are, you are fine.

My sister had a mildly elevated ANA years ago and her GP did the same thing - got her all worried and sent her to a Rheumatologist. She went to the GP for a red spot on her nose which turned out to be nothing. The GP saw red on the nose and an elevated ANA and immediately thought Lupus. The Rheumatologist just shook his head and told her she was fine. She still is.

See the doctor and see what he says, but don't worry.

I agree... Rheumy's are specialist in that field and can do the test needed. I have lupus and Sjogren's, infact I have "Plugs" in my tear ducts. This is to keep the tears I do develope from going into the ducts and staying on my eyes. It was a great help and I do use eye drops as well. I get the blue, numb fingers as well... have to run them under warm water to get the blood to flow back in to them. That is more of just a hassel than anything else. I have lost most of my hair with this last flare and wearing a wig but it will grow back. If you will see a Rheumy I believe you will get a lot of answers and I would appreciate you staying in touch....I have been down this road for a long time and maybe I can help from time to time..good luck and God bless. Sharon