BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuAntinuclear antibody panelANA; ANA panel; ANA reflexive panel; SLE - ANA; Systemic lupus erythematosus - ANAThe antinuclear antibody panel is a blood test that looks at antinuclear antibodies (ANA).AntibodiesAn antibody is a protein produced by the body's immune system when it detects harmful substances, called antigens. Examples of antigens include micr...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article ANA are antibodies produced by the immune system that bind to the body's own tissues. The antinuclear antibody test looks for antibodies that bind to a part of the cell called the nucleus. If the test is positive, a panel of tests may be done to identify specific antibodies. This is the ANA antibody panel. How the Test is Performed Blood is drawn from a vein. Most often, a vein on the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand is used. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.Next, the provider gently inserts a needle into the vein. The blood collects into an airtight vial or tube attached to the needle. The elastic band is removed from your arm.Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.In infants or young children, a sharp tool called a lancet may be used to puncture the skin and make it bleed. The blood collects into a small glass tube called a pipette, or onto a slide or test strip. A bandage may be placed over the area if there is any bleeding.Depending on the laboratory, the test may be processed in different ways. One method requires a technician to examine a blood sample under a microscope using ultraviolet light. The other uses an automated instrument to record the results. How to Prepare for the Test No special preparation is needed. However, certain drugs, including birth control pills, procainamide, and thiazide diuretics, affect the accuracy of this test. Make sure your provider knows about all the medicines you take. How the Test will Feel When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others may feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing. Why the Test is Performed You may need this test if you have signs of an autoimmune disorder, such as unexplained symptoms including arthritis, rashes, fevers or chest pain. Suspected systemic lupus erythematosus may be the most common reason why the test is done.ArthritisArthritis is inflammation or degeneration of one or more joints. A joint is the area where 2 bones meet. There are more than 100 different types of...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Systemic lupus erythematosusSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease. In this disease, the immune system of the body mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. It c...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Normal Results ANA test results are most often reported in 2 parts: the level or titer and the pattern.Titres are reported in ratios, most often 1:40, 1:80, 1:160, 1:320, and 1:640. Some, but not all labs will report a titre above 1:160 as positive. Patterns that are reported include, homogeneous, speckled, centromere, and others.Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results.The examples above show the common measurements for results for these tests. Some laboratories use different measurements or may test different specimens.Further tests can be run on blood with a positive ANA test to get more information. What Abnormal Results Mean A positive ANA is not enough to make a diagnosis. To diagnose any disease related to a positive ANA, it is important to have:A full assessment by a doctor who specializes in any of the illnesses listed below Further antibody testing, for certain illnessesTo make the diagnosis of SLE, the following must be presentCertain clinical features Positive ANA results (a lack of ANA makes the diagnosis much less likely) Certain specific ANA antibodies, which help to confirm the diagnosisOther disorders besides SLE where positive ANA results strongly suggest a diagnosis include:Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma)Scleroderma is a disease that involves the buildup of fibrous tissue in the skin and elsewhere in the body. It also damages the cells that line the ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Sjögren syndrome (primary) Sjögren syndrome (primary)Sjögren syndrome is an autoimmune disorder in which the glands that produce tears and saliva are destroyed. This causes dry mouth and dry eyes. The...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Myositis (inflammatory muscle disease) Myositis (inflammatory muscle disease)Myositis is an inflammation or swelling of the muscles. It is most often caused by injury, infection, medicines, or an autoimmune disorder. Dermatom...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Drug-induced lupus erythematosusDrug-induced lupus erythematosusDrug-induced lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disorder that is triggered by a reaction to a medicine.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Other common diseases that ANA testing can help diagnose include:Mixed connective tissue disease Mixed connective tissue diseaseIn a class of diseases known as autoimmune disorders, the body's immune system attacks its own tissues. Some of these diseases are similar to each o...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Polymyositis/dermatomyositis Autoimmune hepatitis EB virus Hepatitis C HIV Lymphomas Rheumatoid arthritis Rheumatoid arthritisRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease that leads to inflammation of the joints and surrounding tissues. It is a long-term disease. It can also aff...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Thyroid disease Parvovirus Risks Veins and arteries vary in size from one person to another, and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining blood from some people may be more difficult than from others.Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight, but may include:Excessive bleeding Fainting or feeling lightheaded Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin) Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken) Considerations The ANA can be positive in relatives of people with SLE who do not have SLE themselves.There is a very low chance of developing SLE at some time later in life if the only finding is a low titer of ANA.Open ReferencesReferencesAmerican College of Rheumatology website. Antinuclear antibodies (ANA). rheumatology.org/patients/antinuclear-antibodies-ana. Updated February 2023. Accessed October 03, 2023.Peng SL, Craft JE. Anti-nuclear antibodies. In: Firestein GS, Budd RC, Gabriel SE, Koretzky GA, McInnes IB, O'Dell JR, eds. Firestein & Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 58.von Mühlen AC, Chan EKL, Ceribelli A, Fritzler MJ. Clinical and laboratory evaluation of systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 53.AllVideoImagesTogBlood test - illustration Blood is drawn from a vein (venipuncture), usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. Preparation may vary depending on the specific test.Blood testillustrationBlood test - illustration Blood is drawn from a vein (venipuncture), usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. Preparation may vary depending on the specific test.Blood testillustration Tests for Antinuclear antibody panel Antinuclear antibody panelRelated Information Systemic lupus erythematosus(Condition)Arthritis(Condition)Antibody(Special Topic)Toxins(Special Topic)Drug-induced lupus erythematosus(Condition)Collagen vascular disease(Condition)Liver disease(Condition)Scleroderma(Condition)Systemic lupus erythematosus - InDepth(In-Depth)Osteoarthritis - InDepth(In-Depth)Scleroderma - InDepth(In-Depth) Review Date: 1/25/2023 Reviewed By: Neil J. Gonter, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Columbia University, NY and private practice specializing in Rheumatology at Rheumatology Associates of North Jersey, Teaneck, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. Editorial update 10/03/2023. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
Antinuclear antibody panelANA; ANA panel; ANA reflexive panel; SLE - ANA; Systemic lupus erythematosus - ANAThe antinuclear antibody panel is a blood test that looks at antinuclear antibodies (ANA).AntibodiesAn antibody is a protein produced by the body's immune system when it detects harmful substances, called antigens. Examples of antigens include micr...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article ANA are antibodies produced by the immune system that bind to the body's own tissues. The antinuclear antibody test looks for antibodies that bind to a part of the cell called the nucleus. If the test is positive, a panel of tests may be done to identify specific antibodies. This is the ANA antibody panel. How the Test is Performed Blood is drawn from a vein. Most often, a vein on the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand is used. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.Next, the provider gently inserts a needle into the vein. The blood collects into an airtight vial or tube attached to the needle. The elastic band is removed from your arm.Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.In infants or young children, a sharp tool called a lancet may be used to puncture the skin and make it bleed. The blood collects into a small glass tube called a pipette, or onto a slide or test strip. A bandage may be placed over the area if there is any bleeding.Depending on the laboratory, the test may be processed in different ways. One method requires a technician to examine a blood sample under a microscope using ultraviolet light. The other uses an automated instrument to record the results. How to Prepare for the Test No special preparation is needed. However, certain drugs, including birth control pills, procainamide, and thiazide diuretics, affect the accuracy of this test. Make sure your provider knows about all the medicines you take. How the Test will Feel When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others may feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing. Why the Test is Performed You may need this test if you have signs of an autoimmune disorder, such as unexplained symptoms including arthritis, rashes, fevers or chest pain. Suspected systemic lupus erythematosus may be the most common reason why the test is done.ArthritisArthritis is inflammation or degeneration of one or more joints. A joint is the area where 2 bones meet. There are more than 100 different types of...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Systemic lupus erythematosusSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease. In this disease, the immune system of the body mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. It c...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Normal Results ANA test results are most often reported in 2 parts: the level or titer and the pattern.Titres are reported in ratios, most often 1:40, 1:80, 1:160, 1:320, and 1:640. Some, but not all labs will report a titre above 1:160 as positive. Patterns that are reported include, homogeneous, speckled, centromere, and others.Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results.The examples above show the common measurements for results for these tests. Some laboratories use different measurements or may test different specimens.Further tests can be run on blood with a positive ANA test to get more information. What Abnormal Results Mean A positive ANA is not enough to make a diagnosis. To diagnose any disease related to a positive ANA, it is important to have:A full assessment by a doctor who specializes in any of the illnesses listed below Further antibody testing, for certain illnessesTo make the diagnosis of SLE, the following must be presentCertain clinical features Positive ANA results (a lack of ANA makes the diagnosis much less likely) Certain specific ANA antibodies, which help to confirm the diagnosisOther disorders besides SLE where positive ANA results strongly suggest a diagnosis include:Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma)Scleroderma is a disease that involves the buildup of fibrous tissue in the skin and elsewhere in the body. It also damages the cells that line the ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Sjögren syndrome (primary) Sjögren syndrome (primary)Sjögren syndrome is an autoimmune disorder in which the glands that produce tears and saliva are destroyed. This causes dry mouth and dry eyes. The...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Myositis (inflammatory muscle disease) Myositis (inflammatory muscle disease)Myositis is an inflammation or swelling of the muscles. It is most often caused by injury, infection, medicines, or an autoimmune disorder. Dermatom...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Drug-induced lupus erythematosusDrug-induced lupus erythematosusDrug-induced lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disorder that is triggered by a reaction to a medicine.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Other common diseases that ANA testing can help diagnose include:Mixed connective tissue disease Mixed connective tissue diseaseIn a class of diseases known as autoimmune disorders, the body's immune system attacks its own tissues. Some of these diseases are similar to each o...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Polymyositis/dermatomyositis Autoimmune hepatitis EB virus Hepatitis C HIV Lymphomas Rheumatoid arthritis Rheumatoid arthritisRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease that leads to inflammation of the joints and surrounding tissues. It is a long-term disease. It can also aff...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Thyroid disease Parvovirus Risks Veins and arteries vary in size from one person to another, and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining blood from some people may be more difficult than from others.Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight, but may include:Excessive bleeding Fainting or feeling lightheaded Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin) Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken) Considerations The ANA can be positive in relatives of people with SLE who do not have SLE themselves.There is a very low chance of developing SLE at some time later in life if the only finding is a low titer of ANA.Open ReferencesReferencesAmerican College of Rheumatology website. Antinuclear antibodies (ANA). rheumatology.org/patients/antinuclear-antibodies-ana. Updated February 2023. Accessed October 03, 2023.Peng SL, Craft JE. Anti-nuclear antibodies. In: Firestein GS, Budd RC, Gabriel SE, Koretzky GA, McInnes IB, O'Dell JR, eds. Firestein & Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 58.von Mühlen AC, Chan EKL, Ceribelli A, Fritzler MJ. Clinical and laboratory evaluation of systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 53.