What Is Antinuclear Antibody Test
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,
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
- Sjögren’s syndrome
- Addison’s disease
- Autoimmune hepatitis
- Scleroderma
About ANA Test
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 ANA Blood 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 To Prepare For ANA Screening 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.
- Drink adequate water before arriving at the diagnostic center
- Avoid consuming alcohol or smoking.
- If you have medications, consult your healthcare provider to know if you can take those before getting your antibody levels checked.
What Happens During ANA Testing?
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.
Finding ANA 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 ANA 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 ANA Profile 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.
Test Results Interpretation
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 ANA Blood 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 ANA Test 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 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 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
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FAQs Around ANA Test (Antinuclear Antibody Test)
How much does an ANA Test cost?
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.
What happens if the ANA Test is positive?
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.
What ANA level is considered high?
If your antibody test level is higher than titer 1:160, experts consider it to be high and a positive result.
What level of ANA indicates lupus?
An ANA level above titer 1:160 can detect lupus in the system.
Is ANA positive serious?
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.
