ANA, dsDNA, and sm-ANA, are tests related to Lupus. The ANA alone is not a conclusive test for Lupus. You need to have those others the test too. The doctor decide if you have Lupus when you have four symptoms out of ten (I think there are 10 if I am not mistaken). Lupus is hard to diagnose so they have made a way to diagnose it easier.

The ANA's are always positive. As is my sed rate. This is the first dsdna test I have had though. I thought this indicated a positive for Lupus... but... I guess I was mistaken. And, that would be good for me. I don't know what the dsdna is for then... if not for that.

you can have just a positive ana and at least 4-5 symptoms to be diagnosed, this was my case, My sed rate was also off the charts and I was extreamly anemic
now 26 yrs into this battle with this horrible disease my blood is textbook for systemic Lupus Not fun

Thank's ... I have a lot of positive results... and more than one positive on ANA's... positive since last October. Just had the dsdna done for the first time. I go in on Thursday and will see what Doctor says. This is the second Doctor that thinks I have Lupus. If I do... they found it by mistake. I have other serious health issues and a lot of the symptoms are the same.