TL;DR: My understanding is that my ANA of 1:40 and 1:80 is relatively low and most rheumatologists will not find this significant and move on. However, does this make the positive anti-Sm and Sm/RNP non-significant as well? Or do the positive antibodies kind of overrule the weak positive ANA? I do have symptoms. 

I live rural and probably will not get into the local rheumatologist for months, but can easily leave the area for medical care, so I will seek out of town treatment if this may be significant. 



Long version:

I went in to see my primary care doctor after having some pretty brutal knee pain accompanied by swelling, redness, heat. I lift weights regularly and have great form so when this started happening with no warning/injury I was shocked! Then it started happening on days when I didn’t lift, so off to the doctor I went. It took a while to get into the doctor and the pain only happened a day or two more after the appointment. He ordered x-rays, regular blood work and then the ANA and antibody tests- in his words specifically to rule out lupus and RA. 

I got my blood, ANA, RA and antibody tests back. My doctor’s front desk calls and says “your regular bloodwork is fine, but you tested positive for lupus and other connective tissue disease, we are referring you to a rheumatologist.” Cue me freaking out! I’ve never even considered the possibility of an autoimmune condition and don’t know almost anything about them! 

Now I’ve done nothing but read for days. 
Through more reading about lupus and other AI conditions, I do know that the front desks’ statement wasn’t totally correct as there is no one test that can diagnose. I do have other symptoms such as redness/swelling, fatigue, stiffness, and mouth ulcers that all seem to come around the same time. I just figured I was a pale woman and sensitive to something I was eating. It’s hard to see a doc here so I rarely go and try to not worry. 

Anyways, question in title and tldr- are the positive antibodies relevant if the Ana is low? 

Are positive antibodies relevant if ANA is a weak positive?