What is considered to be a high SED rate, or when should it be of concern? I have tried to research but doesn't really specify as to what level you should be worried or be treated for. Also my ANA came back negative this time, can you still have lupus with a negative ANA? SED was 44
For women under 50, it looks like a Sed rate over 20 is considered high.(http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003638.htm). Chronic inflammation causes tissue damage, so I figure any level over that threshold would be of concern unless it were caused by an acute injury.
Lab results can come and go and ANA is a poor indicator of disease activity so a single negative result doesn't mean much. Especially if you've had a positive ANA before. It is also possible to have Lupus with a consistently negative ANA, but it's rare.
Sed rate is also not specific for disease activity It is only an indicator of inflammation however you can have an elevated sed rate with a cold
Thank you for the info. Guess we're at the mercy of our Dr. First one diagnosed me with lupus, and this new Dr does not seem to think that was an accurate diagnosis, yet he wants me to continue taking the methotrexite, hmmm. Why am I taking meds if I don't have lupus, or rheumatoid? Feeling very uncertain right now, at least before I had an explanation of why I felt the way I did and now I'm back to not really knowing. You could go to 5 diff Dr.'s and get 5 diff diagnosis, wish there was a sure fire way to know. I did not know you could have elevated sed rate from just a cold. It's been continually elevated for past 2 yrs and I was only sick with a cold/flu once during that 2 yrs, which I don't think I had any bloodwork at that time, I wonder what is causing it to stay elevated?
Does anyone else have horrible pain that is helped by steroids but rarely have elevated SED? Even with the worse flare I had that landed me in the hospital for ten days it was only 50. Of course CRP was almost 300. But so often when I go to doc I can be in so much pain amd it is normal. But if I start a taper I get better! Just wondered.
MY POSITIVE ANA CHANGED MOSTLY TO NEGATIVE WHEN I STARTED TAKING PLAQUENIL...IT HAS STAYED NEGATIVE EXCEPT WHEN I AM IN A BIG FLARE.