An antinuclear antibody (ANA) test is a blood test that can help identify autoimmune disorders, which occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's cells and tissues. The test detects the presence of antinuclear antibodies (ANAs), a type of autoantibody that targets the nucleus of a cell.
When a person has an autoimmune disorder, their immune system produces ANAs, mistakenly attacking the nuclei of cells. The ANA screening test detects the presence of these antibodies, which can be an indicator of an autoimmune disorder. However, it is essential to note that the presence of ANAs does not always indicate an autoimmune disorder, and you must get additional tests done to confirm a diagnosis.
ANA Test can help confirm the following medical conditions,
An ANA blood test helps to rule out symptoms of autoimmune disease. If you have any of the below-mentioned symptoms, your healthcare professional would ask you to get tested at the earliest:
Muscle Pain
Tiredness
Fever
Rashes and burns
Joint pain and swelling
It's important to note that, as a blood test, it is crucial to consider a patient's clinical condition and previous medical history to interpret the results correctly. It's vital to interpret the ANA test results in the context of the patient's overall clinical picture, and it should be done by a healthcare professional, typically a rheumatologist, who can give you a proper evaluation and guidance.
What does the ANA (Antinuclear Antibody) Test measure?
The test measures the ANA normal range in both men and women. It follows a blood sample drawn from the vein in your arm to check if your antibody levels are low or high, which can indicate rheumatoid arthritis or other medical conditions.
How do I prepare for the ANA (Antinuclear Antibody) Test?
There is no special preparation required for the ANA Test. It is a simple blood test that requires drawing a blood sample from the vein in your arm. Before the test, be wary of the following factors:
Do not fast unless prescribed by your healthcare professional.
If you have medications, consult your healthcare provider to know if you can take those before getting your antibody levels checked.
What sample is required for the ANA (Antinuclear Antibody) Test?
The ANA test requires a simple blood sample drawn from your veins. Your healthcare professional will be able to administer the same, after which your sample is sent to the laboratory to check your antibody levels.
What happens during an ANA (Antinuclear Antibody) Test?
Are you visiting your nearest diagnostic center to get an antibody test? If yes, your healthcare professional will take the following steps to draw the blood sample:
Your healthcare provider will wrap a thin pipe around your arm and cleanse the target area with rubbing alcohol.
The expert will check for the vein in your arm and ask you to clench your fists tightly.
Your healthcare provider will draw a blood sample from your vein using a syringe and collect it in a vial/test tube, removing the injection from your skin.
They will seal the target area with a bandage to avoid bleeding and send your blood sample to the laboratory for testing.
Usually, the antibody test results will be available to you on the same day.
What are the risks involved in an ANA (Antinuclear Antibody) Test?
Since the ANA Test requires a sample of your blood drawn from the veins, there are no risks associated with this test. You might experience pain or bruise at the site, which is supposed to subside on the same day.
Finding an ANA (Antinuclear Antibody) Test
Should you call for an ANA Test at home or get it done at your nearest clinic? Read more to find out what suits your comfort.
Can I take the ANA (Antinuclear Antibody) Test at home?
Yes, you can. You can contact your nearest diagnostic center to call a healthcare professional and get the antibody test done from the comfort of your home.
How much does the ANA (Antinuclear Antibody) Test cost?
The ANA blood test price depends on the diagnostic center you choose to get it done. In most cases, if you have insurance coverage, it covers the expense of the test, else you can always purchase a new plan at affordable rates.
ANA (Antinuclear Antibody) Test Results
You received your ANA test results but still need help determining if you have antibodies in the normal range. Read this section to understand how to go about your antibody diagnoses with your healthcare professional.
What do the ANA (Antinuclear Antibody) Test results mean?
Whether you are a man or a woman, an ANA test can be either positive or negative. If it is positive, it can result in certain autoimmune diseases in your body.
What is an ANA (Antinuclear Antibody) normal range?
An antibody test detects the presence of antinuclear antibodies in your system. Usually, these are not supposed to be present in the body; otherwise, they can indicate a self-attack on your bodily tissues causing various health concerns.
What medical conditions can cause high ANA (Antinuclear Antibody) levels?
If your ANA test result is positive, it means that there is a presence of antinuclear antibodies in your system. Typically, medical experts consider an antibody test result of more than titer 1:160 to be high, as it can trigger the following medical conditions:
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
Scleroderma
Sjogren's syndrome
Rheumatoid arthritis
Polymyositis
Mixed connective tissue disease
Dermatomyositis
Antiphospholipid syndrome
What medical conditions can cause low ANA (Antinuclear Antibody) levels?
If you have a low ratio of antibodies in your system, your test result is negative. However, it doesn't completely rule out the prospect of you not having autoimmune diseases.
Low counts can trigger the following health issues in an individual:
Viral infections
Hematological malignancies
ANA levels lower than normal results
The result is negative if you have a low count of antibodies in your ANA blood test. However, it is always advisable to check for false positives.
ANA levels higher than normal results
If your ANA blood test results are higher than titer 1:160, they indicate a positive result, leaving you scared of having an autoimmune disease.
Why Choose HealthcareOnTime?
Other than having a PAN-India presence, HealthcareOnTime experts are well-trained and offer home testing facilities at affordable pricing. The experts can conduct your ANA test at your convenient time and date or assist you in booking an appointment at your nearest diagnostic center.
Our medical packages are available at the most affordable costs, and our services are available 24x7, which cater to emergency tests and scans depending on your requirement.
Get your antinuclear antibody levels checked today to experience excellent service, exceptional results, and comfort at every step. We also cater to medical packages for antibody tests, even for your family. Make your health a priority by getting routine checkups, consultations by our healthcare providers, and maximum health benefits by giving us a call or checking our website for further assistance.
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Thyrocare Technologies Limited - India's first and most advanced Totally Automated NABL/ICMR/CAP/ISO certified Laboratory providing accurate reports with top-rated quality service since 1995. Book your test right away because we have kept the ANA Test price very reasonable for all of our clients.
The ANA test price can differ from one diagnostic center to the other. You can get it at affordable rates at reputed clinics. You can get your antibody test done for free if you have insurance coverage.
If your ANA test result is positive, it can indicate the presence of autoimmune diseases in your body. In this case, you must start an immediate diagnosis with your healthcare professional.
If your antibody test level is higher than titer 1:160, experts consider it to be high and a positive result.
An ANA level above titer 1:160 can detect lupus in the system.
As per medical experts, the ANA-positive test should be considered severe since it detects autoimmune diseases in the system. A positive test result indicates that you must start its diagnosis immediately by consulting your healthcare professional.
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