Antinuclear Antibody

Does this take a look at produce other names?

ANA, fluorescent antinuclear antibody take a look at, FANA

What is that this take a look at?

This blood take a look at is completed to assist your healthcare supplier discover out you probably have an autoimmune illness. This sort of illness occurs when your immune system assaults your regular cells.

Your immune system is your physique’s protection system. It protects you towards international invaders like viruses and micro organism. In some instances, your immune system can turn out to be confused. It may well assume that regular cells in your physique are international invaders. When that occurs, your physique could make proteins known as antibodies that assault your individual cells.

When antibodies assault cells in your physique, akin to in your joints, they will trigger swelling and redness referred to as irritation. Antinuclear antibodies assault regular proteins within the heart construction (nucleus) of your physique’s cells. Antinuclear antibodies are discovered in lots of autoimmune ailments. These embody lupus, scleroderma, and rheumatoid arthritis. 

Why do I would like this take a look at?

Your healthcare supplier could order this take a look at you probably have signs of an autoimmune illness. Widespread signs of autoimmune ailments which will stem from antinuclear antibodies embody:

• Fever

• Joint ache

• Weight reduction

• Pores and skin rash

• Tiredness

What different assessments may I’ve together with this take a look at?

Discovering antinuclear antibodies in your blood tells your healthcare supplier solely that you’ll have an autoimmune illness. It would not inform which illness you’ve got. Your supplier could order different assessments relying in your signs and your bodily examination. 

What do my take a look at outcomes imply?

Take a look at outcomes could fluctuate relying in your age, gender, well being historical past, and different issues. Your take a look at outcomes could also be totally different relying on the lab used. They might not imply you’ve got an issue. Ask your healthcare supplier what your take a look at outcomes imply for you.

A constructive take a look at for ANA doesn’t imply you’ve got an autoimmune illness. The take a look at finds small quantities of those antibodies in as much as 15% of wholesome individuals. Antinuclear antibodies are measured in titers. A titer above 1:160 is normally seen as a constructive take a look at outcome. A constructive outcome could imply:

• You have got systemic lupus erythematosus, or SLE. About 95% of individuals with this autoimmune illness take a look at constructive for antinuclear antibodies.

• You have got one other sort of autoimmune illness.

• You have got a short-term situation, like an an infection, that is inflicting your antinuclear antibodies to go up.

• You might be one of many 15% of regular individuals who have constructive antinuclear antibodies with none illness.

How is that this take a look at completed?

The take a look at requires a blood pattern, which is drawn by way of a needle from a vein in your arm.

Does this take a look at pose any dangers?

Taking a blood pattern with a needle carries small dangers that embody bleeding, an infection, bruising, and a way of lightheadedness . When the needle pricks your arm, you’ll have a slight stinging feeling or ache. Afterward, the location could also be a bit sore.

What may have an effect on my take a look at outcomes?

Many circumstances can set off a constructive antinuclear antibody take a look at even with out an autoimmune illness. Situations which will trigger a “false constructive” take a look at embody:

How do I prepare for this take a look at?

You do not want any particular preparation for this take a look at. Inform your healthcare supplier whether or not you’ve got had any latest or long-term infections. Additionally, let your supplier find out about any medicines you take, together with over-the-counter medicines, herbs, and dietary supplements.