How can a blood test result be positive for lupus but you not be diagnosed with the disease?

I really appreciate all of your answers....most of you included in your answer that I could be a carrier and not have the symptoms. I do have the symptoms....all of them. That is why I am so baffled how the dr could say that I do not have Lupus. My ANA tested Positive for Lupus but he remains to say that I do not have it. I am VERY fatigue, I have all the muscle, joint, aches and pains that go with it. One blood test says positive, the other says negitive. I'm baffled?? Lupus runs in my family...my mother, sister, aunt and cousin all have it. My aunt is worse, hers has been treated like cancer. I just want some answers. I've been to one rhuematologist....maybe I should seek a second opinion? Will it really make a difference?? This dr should know what he's talking about...I would think. I don't know what to do.

Not sure. I wish I was a doctor to help you more. Make a list of questions to ask your doctor at your next visit, and make sure this one is on it. Good luck--LOL!!

You could be a carrier.

You could be a carrier. My daughter's friend was a carrier for strep, but she didn't have any symptoms of it.

It's possible that you are just a carrier of the disease but show no signs of it. You may develop the disease later on in life, and then again, you may never ever have symptoms.

ANA is an antibody that is a marker for lupus, but is also positive in other autoimmune diseases. Also some people have the antibody but it does not cause any issues clinically ( no rash, no arthritis, no fatigue...). Lupus is a disease that is diagnosed based on the findings and the labs just help to confirm suspicions and clinical/physical findings.

The LE test is unespecific. It checks for illnesses that are considered autoimmune, like Rheumatoid Arthritis; Lupus; and more.
It may never show up (Lupus); just means you have tendency for it.

The blood test for lupus (ANA) doesn't give an exact yes or no answer, it's just another clue that you piece together with everything else to make the diagnosis. To be diagnosed you also need a certain number of specific symptoms.

I would get another opinion. Although amost all lupus patients have a positive ANA, a whole lot of other things can cause that. Positive ANA comes with other disorders, pregnancy, some meds, old age, etc.

You could have RA or another autoimmune disease. If you are not happy with your doc. get another one. Do understand that other disorderd must be ruled out before the combination of labs, symptoms and history will yield a diagnosis of lupus. AND two different doctors, given the very same information, may come up with two different conclusions.

Sometimes the name of what you have matters less than the treatment and control. Many autoimmunes have similar treatments.

One thing I can tell you for sure, is that stress makes all of them worse.