Anti-Nuclear Antibody (ANA) Test: What You Need to Know

The Anti-Nuclear Antibody (ANA) Test is a common blood test used to diagnose autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune diseases occur when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own healthy tissues. ANA is a type of antibody that the immune system produces in response to damaged or foreign substances in the body. ANA antibodies target the cell’s nucleus, which contains the DNA.

The ANA test is useful in identifying individuals who may have autoimmune diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or Sjögren’s syndrome. However, not all individuals with ANA antibodies have an autoimmune disease. In fact, up to 20% of healthy individuals have detectable ANA antibodies in their blood.

What is the ANA test used for?

The ANA test is used to help diagnose autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjögren’s syndrome.

How is the ANA test performed?

The ANA test is a blood test that measures the amount of ANA antibodies in your blood.

How long does it take to get ANA test results?

ANA test results can take anywhere from a few days to a week to come back, depending on the laboratory.

What is a normal ANA level?

A normal ANA level is generally considered to be less than 1:40. However, a positive ANA test does not always indicate an autoimmune disease.

What factors can affect ANA test results?

Certain medications, infections, and age can affect ANA test results.

Normal ANA Values

It is important to note that ANA test results are not always straightforward. A positive ANA test does not necessarily mean that an individual has an autoimmune disease. False-positive ANA tests can occur in individuals with chronic infections, certain medications, or with advancing age. Conversely, some individuals with autoimmune diseases may have a negative ANA test. Therefore, the ANA test is often used in conjunction with other diagnostic tests to confirm or rule out a diagnosis.