A positive ANA usually isn’t treated as a disease. Most people are told it “doesn’t mean much.” But in reality, it can be the earliest sign of autoimmune activity, long before a full autoimmune disease develops. And because this stage has no official name in medicine, it often gets ignored.
This is why “Bilstrom’s Nuclearitis,” a term proposed to describe the state of having positive antinuclear antibodies, has been introduced. The idea behind naming it is simple:
If medicine doesn’t have a name for a condition, it often doesn’t have a plan for it either.
This blog explores what Bilstrom’s Nuclearitis really means, why so many patients feel stuck in medical limbo, and how giving a condition a name can sometimes be the first step toward understanding it.
The Truth Behind a Positive ANA
A positive ANA means your immune system is reacting, but not always in a way doctors can easily name or diagnose. “Bilstrom’s Nuclearitis” gives this confusing state a clear identity, helping patients understand what’s happening beneath the surface. Naming it brings clarity, direction, and the first step toward reversing early autoimmune activity.
What actually is a Bilstrom’s Nuclearitis?
Bilstrom’s Nuclearitis is a chronic autoimmune condition in which the immune system produces antibodies that mistakenly target proteins in the cell nucleus, including critical structures such as DNA. This concept was first identified by American physiatrist and Functional & Integrative Medicine physician Dr. David Bilstrom in 2018. When these nuclear proteins are attacked, the immune response shows up on lab work as a positive ANA, the key indicator of Bilstrom’s Nuclearitis.
Causes
Bilstrom’s Nuclearitis (positive ANA) can be triggered by several factors:
1. Early Autoimmune Activity
Sometimes the immune system becomes confused and starts attacking healthy tissue. It can happen in the early stages of autoimmune conditions like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune thyroid issues, or Sjögren’s. ANA positivity is often one of the first signs that the immune system is becoming overactive.
2. Genetics
Autoimmune tendencies often run in families. If a close relative has an autoimmune condition, your immune system may be more reactive, making Bilstrom’s Nuclearitis more likely.
3. Hormonal Influence
Women experience Bilstrom’s Nuclearitis more often than men. Fluctuations in estrogen and other hormones can influence how the immune system behaves and may make it more prone to autoimmune reactions.
4. Infections & Inflammation
After a viral or bacterial infection, the immune system can temporarily go into “high alert” mode, causing ANA levels to rise even without long-term disease.
5. Medications
Some medications, such as certain blood pressure drugs, antibiotics, or anti-seizure medicines, can trigger ANA production. This type of ANA positivity often goes away after the medication is stopped.
6. Environmental Triggers
Chronic stress, smoking, toxin exposure, poor sleep, and inflammation can all overstimulate the immune system. Over time, this may contribute to the development of ANAs in the bloodstream.
A New Paradigm for Autoimmune Disease
Bilstrom’s concept of Nuclearitis reframes our understanding of autoimmune disease. Instead of viewing each condition as separate, it positions all autoimmune illnesses as variations of a single underlying process, one capable of targeting any tissue in the body, even nuclear material like DNA. With proper testing and targeted treatment, this immune self-attack can be identified, interrupted, and ultimately reversed.
Consequences
The consequences of Bilstrom’s Nuclearitis don’t always show up immediately, but several patterns can develop:
1. Persistent Low-Grade Inflammation
The body may stay in a state of subtle, ongoing inflammation. People often feel like something is “off,” even when scans or blood tests look normal.
2. Widespread, Unexplained Symptoms
Many experience symptoms such as:
- On-and-off Joint Pain
- Muscle Aches
- Skin Sensitivity Or Rashes
- Headaches or Brain Fog
- Gut Issues
- Chronic Fatigue
These symptoms fluctuate, making them hard to track and even harder for doctors to label.
3. Increased Autoimmune Vulnerability
Not everyone progresses, but persistent ANA positivity can be a sign that the immune system is capable of developing conditions like:
- Lupus
- Sjögren’s Syndrome
- Autoimmune Thyroid Disease
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
For some, this progression happens slowly; for others, it never happens at all.
4. Disrupted Daily Functioning
Even without a formal diagnosis, the symptoms can interfere with work, sleep, physical activity, and emotional well-being. People often describe feeling “fine on the outside but exhausted on the inside.”
5. Psychological & Emotional Consequences
The uncertainty itself becomes a major burden:
- Anxiety from not having answers
- Feeling unheard or dismissed
- Worrying about the future
- Frustration from normal tests despite abnormal symptoms
Naming this ANA positive experience helps patients feel validated and understood.
Case Study – A Real Example: Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga has had a positive ANA for years. Because lupus runs in her family, many assumed she had it. She later shared that she did not have lupus, but instead had:
- A positive ANA
- Chronic pain
- Fatigue
- A diagnosis of fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia pain can resemble lupus pain. She was offered a medication that could help with the pain, but not the root cause of ANA positivity.
Imagine if she (and millions of others) knew that a positive ANA already has a disease name and could be reversed.
Your Preventive Action Plan
Below, we outline simple, actionable steps to protect your immune health and manage ANA positivity.
| Preventive Focus | What to Do |
| Reduce Chronic Inflammation | Eat anti-inflammatory foods, reduce sugar and processed items, add omega-3s, and stay hydrated. |
| Support Gut Health | Include probiotics or fermented foods, increase fiber, and avoid irritants like alcohol and heavily processed foods. |
| Manage Stress | Practice breathing exercises, meditation, yoga, journaling, or daily relaxation habits. |
| Regular Movement | Walk daily, stretch, try low-impact workouts, or light strength training for consistent activity. |
| Optimize Sleep | Maintain a regular sleep schedule, limit screens before bed, and keep the room cool and dark. |
| Monitor Symptoms & Labs | Track fatigue, joint issues, rashes, or changes; keep a symptom journal and repeat labs as advised. |
| Seek Early Support | Consult integrative or functional practitioners, check vitamin levels, and start early lifestyle adjustments. |
Why I Created the Autoimmune Hope Course
My Autoimmune Hope self-paced online course (with live Q&A recordings and group sessions) teaches:
- Why ANA turns positive
- How autoimmune disease begins
- What steps can reverse the process
- How to stop the body from attacking itself
- A positive ANA can be reversed by addressing root causes.
Join Autoimmune Hope
I invite everyone interested in reversing autoimmune disease to join Autoimmune Hope, my online self-paced course.
You can Learn:
- Why does autoimmune disease happen
- How to stop the body’s self-attack
- How to reverse the process and regain health
Wrapping Up
Taking early preventive steps gives you more control over your health and reduces the uncertainty that often comes with a positive ANA. With the right awareness and support, you can stay ahead of potential autoimmune changes.
“Got a Revolution, got to Revolution.” Jefferson Airplane
Dr. David Bilstrom
Autoimmune Functional Medicine Doctor
Frequently Asked Questions
The titer gives clues, but even a low-positive ANA can signal early immune dysfunction. In Bilstrom’s Nuclearitis, the presence of ANA matters more than the exact number.
Not necessarily. When root causes are addressed, many people see their ANA decrease or return to normal.
No. Autoimmune conditions like ANA positive are not spread through contact; they arise from internal immune misfires.
Begin by understanding why your ANA turned positive, then identify triggers like inflammation, infections, stress, gut issues, or nutrient deficiencies. Courses like Autoimmune Hope help guide this process.
