ANA is very broad - and can mean nothing, or some other autoimmune illness.
There are antibodies that are far more specific for lupus.  One is the anti-Smith antibody.

Renee is right that clinical symptoms must also be considered - non-erosive arthritis (swollen joints), a "butterfly" rash across the face or a discoid rash (if discoid and not systemic lupus),
oral mucosal ulcers (sores in the mouth), severe fatigue, kidney proteinuria (protein in urine) indicating renal problem, and more..

A diagnosis of lupus can be (and usually is) based on a collection of blood tests and clinical symptoms.

 I take plaquenil for lupus - still take it.  Although my lupus has greatly improved, if I stop taking that, my joints start swelling (esp hands /knuckles and knees) and I really hurt.   
My worst pain now is my back - I have osteoarthritis in my back, and I'm sure the weight has not helped.  I look forward to the weight loss relieving some of that.

I could not live on narcotics.  That would be beyond my ability to tolerate, I think.

me too.  I need to delete mine and do a new one.  I cannot remember the passcode.

Hi Lori,

Sorry about your mother. Lupus is a treacherous disease and can be quite difficult for physicians to diagnose. Many of the symptoms can mimic other diseases causing much confusion.

I've had lupus for about 24 years. I was diagnosed as a teen.

To my knowledge, depending on the symptoms, one main test is the ANA (anti-nuclear antibody) test, another is a routine CBC, and another is a syphilis test (some with lupus will have a false-positive result thus giving the indication of lupus). Many rheumies use these tests as gages.

Mine used the ANA to diagnose me, plus my symptoms at the time (flushed cheeks, chronic joint pain, blood clotting disorder, joint swelling, hair loss, chronic pain, mucosal ulcers, severely swollen lymph nodes, and a constant low grade fever) pointed to lupus.

My original diagnosis was juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), but my various symptoms did not fit JRA to the satisfaction of my doc. He was very proactive in seeking the disorder that best fit all of my ongoing issues.

I'm not verse on the inheritability of lupus, but there is a host of information at www.lupus.org.


HTH,

Renee

 Patti Austin is beautiful!   I did not know she had bariatric surgery.