ANA Test

ANA Test

ANA Test, Antinuclear Antibodies are our bodies’ antibodies that start attacking our own bodies’ DNA and nuclear material, causing tissue damage. When the body starts making antibodies that are against your own body, the result is an autoimmune disorder in the body, which then damages its tissues. In 99% of Systemic erythematosus (SLE) patients, the ANA test is positive. If the SLE patient tests positive for the ANA test, then anti DNA test is performed specifically to further confirm the SLE disease.

• Also called the ANA Titre Test
• Also called the Antinuclear Antibody Test
• Also called Fluorescent Antibody Test

Causes of High ANA Titre or Value

• SLE Disease
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Scleroderma
• Drug-Induced Lupus
• Myasthenia Gravis
• Sjogren’s Syndrome
• Polymyositis
• Raynauds Syndrome
• Pulmonary Fibrosis

Normal Ranges of ANA Test?

ANA Test(Anti-nuclear Titre) Less than 1: 20 or 1:40 or 1:60 or not detected

Requirements for ANA Test?

An ANA Test detects antinuclear antibodies in patients’ blood samples. If you are taking an ANA test should know the following info:

• It’s a blood test and requires less than a 10 ml sample of your blood.
• If this sample is being used only for an ANA test, you can eat and drink normally before the test.

Specimen Collection For ANA Test

• Collect 5 to 7 ml of blood in a test tube.
• Centrifuge the blood sample and separate the serum
• Use the serum for the test
• The patient’s serum is then tested on ELISA or with an indirect Immunofluorescence assay.
• Check the result in the form of negative and positive.

What except from the ANA test result?

In most cases, a positive ANA indicates that your immune system has launched a misdirected attack on your tissue, in other words, an autoimmune reaction. But some people have positive ANA tests even when they are healthy. Particularly women older than these show elevated autoantibody levels.

Caution about Interpreting the ANA test results

• ANA test is a screening test and not a confirmatory test
• While an ANA test cannot confirm a specific diagnostic it can rule out some disease
• Further test has to be done along with ANA to detect the specific autoimmune disease
• If the ANA test is Positive, your blood be tested for the presence of particular antinuclear antibodies, some of which are specific to certain diseases.

FAQs:

Q: What is an ANA test?

A: An ANA test, or Antinuclear Antibody test, is a blood test used to detect the presence of antinuclear antibodies in the body. These antibodies target the nucleus of cells, and their presence may indicate an autoimmune disease.

Q: Why is an ANA test performed?

A: ANA tests are often ordered when someone shows signs and symptoms of an autoimmune disorder, such as joint pain, fatigue, skin rashes, and inflammation. It helps healthcare providers evaluate and monitor autoimmune conditions like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjögren’s syndrome.

Q: How is the ANA test conducted?

A: The test involves a blood draw. A healthcare professional will take a small sample of blood from a vein in your arm, and the sample is then sent to a laboratory for analysis.

Q: What do the results of an ANA test indicate?

A: Results are reported as a titer and pattern. A positive result indicates the presence of antinuclear antibodies, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you have an autoimmune disease. Further tests and clinical evaluation are usually needed to confirm a diagnosis.

Q: Can a person have a positive ANA test without having an autoimmune disease?

A: Yes, it’s possible. Some healthy individuals may have a low level of antinuclear antibodies without any associated autoimmune disease. Other factors, such as infections or medications, can also cause a positive ANA result.

Q: What is a “titer” in the context of ANA testing?

A: The titer is a measure of the concentration of antibodies in the blood. A higher titer often indicates a stronger immune response. However, the titer alone doesn’t determine the severity of the disease or predict its course.

Q: What are some common patterns of ANA test results?

A: Common patterns include homogeneous, speckled, nucleolar, and centromere. The pattern, along with clinical symptoms, helps healthcare providers in the diagnosis and management of autoimmune diseases.

Q: Can the ANA test be used for screening in the general population?

A: The ANA test is not typically used as a general screening tool because a positive result can occur in healthy individuals. It is more commonly ordered when there are specific symptoms or risk factors for autoimmune diseases.

Q: How often should the ANA test be repeated?

A: The frequency of ANA testing depends on the individual’s health and symptoms. It is typically repeated as needed based on clinical judgment and the progression of symptoms.