Sometimes a very long time. Hang in there and don’t be afraid to ask questions. There is no dumb question. Be your best advocate.
April 29
I hope you get the supportive care you need. It sometimes takes a long time to get the diagnosis,
April 29
Having a positive ANA and elevated protein/creatinine ratio without classic symptoms can feel confusing and uncertain — that's completely understandable. A positive ANA alone doesn't confirm lupus, as around 15% of healthy people can also test positive.
However, elevated protein in the urine (reflected in the Show Full Answer
Having a positive ANA and elevated protein/creatinine ratio without classic symptoms can feel confusing and uncertain — that's completely understandable. A positive ANA alone doesn't confirm lupus, as around 15% of healthy people can also test positive.
However, elevated protein in the urine (reflected in the protein/creatinine ratio) is something rheumatologists take seriously, as it can signal kidney involvement — even before other symptoms appear. Your rheumatologist will likely want to dig deeper with additional testing. Common follow-up tests include:
- Anti-dsDNA antibodies — more specific to lupus
- Complement levels (C3/C4) — low levels can suggest active disease
- Complete blood count (CBC) — checks blood cells affected by lupus
- Urinalysis — further evaluates kidney health
- Inflammation markers like CRP and ESR
It's worth noting that lupus can sometimes present without the "classic" symptoms, especially in people diagnosed later in life. Late-onset lupus (diagnosed after 50) can look quite different from typical presentations.
Staying closely connected with your rheumatologist to monitor these results over time is really important here.
April 29
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