Antinuclear Antibody (ANA)

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Latest Edit: Hector 2014-03-21 (EDT)

See Also Lab Tests

The ANA test, also known as antinuclear antibody test, screens for certain autoimmune disorders, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), polymyosistis, and a number of others.[1], [2]


Discussion

  • The ANA test helps to identify the presence of antinuclear antibodies in the blood.
  • ANA is a group of special antibodies produced by a person's immune system when it fails to distinguish between "self" and "nonself"
  • Autoantibodies attack the body's own cells, causing signs and symptoms such as tissue and organ inflammation, joint and muscle pain, and fatigue.

Patient Preparation

  • Fasting is not required for this test.
  • Factors which can cause increased levels:

Clinical Implications

High Levels Indicate:

Note: false positives are common with an ANA test. Most positive ANA results, especially in the absence of symptoms indicating an autoimmune disease don't have any significance. False positive results increase with age.

Associated Tests

References

  1. Pagana Kathleen D, Pagana Timothy J (2006) Mosby's Manual of Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests, Mosby.
  2. Weatherby Dicken, Ferguson Scott (2002) Blood Chemistry and CBC Analysis: Clinical Laboratory Testing from a Functional Perspective, Bear Mountain.