You need to find a new rheumatologist...and quickly

From my understanding, ANA is merely a broader test that picks up evidence of antibodies. In fact the pattern observed when testing for ANA helps indicate what specific antibody is being produced. (The pattern catches what specific parts of a cell & which proteins are being attacked I believed) For example a Homogenous patterned ANA is actually citing evidence of dsDNA which is why that pattern is indicative of Lupus

When the ANA is positive a doctor feels they have reason to test further to narrow down which antibodies are causing the damage. That’s why you’re tested specifically for dsDNA. Since you tested a strong positive, the ANA result doesn’t even matter at that point. Consider it a elimination process. A doctor or insurance doesn’t want pay to test for specific antibodies if there is no reason, so they do the ANA as a jumping off point. If negative they usually dismiss the idea autoimmune problems could be the culprit (they shouldn’t, but they often do) When positive they feel they’re on the right path and have confirmed the cause to be autoimmune in nature and then invest the time figuring out specifics

Be thankful he ran both of them from the start!thata unusual. Most order the ANA test with cascade, meaning if it’s negative it doesn’t trigger the testing of other antibodies. At least now you have that positive dsDNA on record!! Some doctor will understand the significance, I promise

The is no reason under the sun you should have a high positive dsDNA. Sure, a small percentage of elderly people will have a low positive dsDNA but now we’re getting into the technical weeds. DsDNA means your body is producing something that is attacking your own cells...in other words your immune system is bunky and is attacking your body

Go get a competent rheumatologist ASAP!

I’ll be hoping you get the care you need. Don’t let your doctor write this off.

DsDNA is the test that matters.

What was the range on your dsDNA test? What the “positive” threshold? It should be listed as reference. Some tests are confusing to read because your result will look like it indicates antibodies but could still be below the threshold which determines a positive result. Example: you could have tested at 27 but the positive threshold might be 40

I’m only asking cause it seems so damn bizarre a doctor would dismiss a positive dsDNA

Not everyone with lupus has a positive ANA. Ask your doctor to use AVISE lupus. It uses special biomarkers specific to lupus.

Depends on the type of substrate/test used.

"Occasionally, a patient will be unexpectedly found to have a positive test for anti-dsDNA antibodies but a negative ANA test. HEp-2 cells contain abundant dsDNA, and a positive test for anti-dsDNA antibodies should also result in a positive test for ANAs by IIF. However, because anti-dsDNA antibodies may be detected by a variety of assay techniques (as described above), it is possible that the anti-dsDNA assay used, such as the Farr, ELISA, or fluorescent bead assay, may be more sensitive than IIF on HEp-2 cell substrate for the detection of anti-dsDNA antibodies. The clinical significance of anti-dsDNA antibodies detected by one of these assays, in the setting of a negative test for ANA by IIF, is uncertain."
"An ANA-negative and anti-dsDNA antibody-positive result is not possible if the clinical laboratory uses antigen-coated fluorescent microspheres as a screening test for ANAs; the dsDNA-coated microsphere is one of the panel of antigen-coated microspheres used to test for autoantibodies in such assays. Thus, the fluorescent bead ANA screening test would, by definition, be considered positive if anti-dsDNA antibodies are detected. It should be noted that the American College of Rheumatology recommends that solid-phase assays should not be used as the initial test to detect ANAs, as is outlined in their position statement."

I know- that’s what boggles my mind! The threshold was above 10IU/mL = positive. I was at 27. That’s why I just don’t understand why he’s dismissing it. Says I have fibromyalgia, but I’ve been diagnosed with that previously and never had any of the symptoms I have now.