Consultant's Letter Needs Explanation

[atalanta]

I have just received a copy of the letter which the consultant has sent to my doctor. She says in it "blood results are normal, although we do not have an ANA today"
What's an ANA, and in what circumstances should I have such a thing ? If any ?

[Buenchico]

http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/ana-test/basics/definition/prc-20014566

[Peter Pedant]

antinuclear antibody

it is an antibody which zeroes in on bits of the nucleus of the cell and really you shouldnt have any. [0]

it is not one of the test where if it is raised - you can go "ga-ding! the diagnosis is ......."

but as BuenChico URL says - it is raised in Lupus ( SLE) scleroderma and rheumatoid arthritis

I cant find out if the level gives an idea of severity of disease ( high level = raging disease, low means getting under control ) It doesnt look like it

[Sqad]

Atalanta...good morning.
You have the scientific answer to your question, but what about the practical aspect (if that is what you wanted).
ANA is not a specific test and it'e relevance depends upon for what reason it was ordered. It may well be to observer the effects of drugs on a pre-existing disorder or it may be designed to give a diagnostic pointer after considering one's symptoms.
Without knowing your present medical conditions and your symptoms, then your question, if it really was your intention, is purely academic.
Just guessing (LOL) was it because of rheumatic symptoms?

[Jackdaw33]

This site seems overwhelmed by medics. Not only Sqad but Chico and PP too.

[Sqad]

Jackdaw........with the internet, everybody is a medic....who needs doctors?

[Old_Geezer]

Someone has to write the prescription or wield the scalpel.

[Peter Pedant]

atlanta good morning again....

//or wield the scalpel.// - Joe the Butcher ?
on AB it would be more wielding an AXE !
or even a chain saw !! hur hur hur

I can only answer as I find
I still think the consultants letter was investigative/diagnostic - but I dont want to pry.....

[Peter Pedant]

// Jackdaw........with the internet, everybody is a medic....who needs doctors?//

no no sqad .with the internet, every patient is a medic....who needs to go to the doctor's?
[when they have us]

[atalanta]

I hope the rheumaticals have nothing to do with it. It's a severe and agonising case of Raynaud's

[Sqad]

Atalanta....ah! that makes sense........if ANAs are present/absent it is a pretty good predictor for the future behaviour of the disease.
ANAs present....may be a rocky ride with skin and other organ problems, but if absent, an easier but fairly localised pattern.