Why is this procedure done?
ANA stands for antinuclear antibodies. The ANA test measures how many antibodies are in your blood that may attack your own tissues. Normally, your body makes antibodies to protect it from illnesses. Sometimes, these antibodies tell the body to attack itself. When the body attacks itself, it is called an autoimmune disease. Your doctor may order this test to:
- Check if your problems with muscles, bones, skin, or internal organs are due to an autoimmune problem
- Learn if you have an autoimmune disease
- Help find problems with your immune system that cause:
- An illness affecting the skin, joints, kidneys, and other internal organs. This may be systemic lupus erythematosus or SLE.
- Swelling and pain in the joints. You may also have joint growth that is not normal. This may be rheumatoid arthritis.
- An illness that makes the skin hard, tight, and thick. It may also affect internal organs. This may be scleroderma.
- Dryness of the mouth and eyes. This may be Sj Άgren syndrome.
- Problems affecting the thyroid gland. This may be Hashimoto thyroiditis.
- Swelling of the muscles and skin. This may be dermatomyositis.
- Swelling of the blood vessels. This may be vasculitis.
View OriginalView Original
What will the results be?
- The doctor will look at the results of your test and what is normal. The doctor will know if you have an illness that needs treatment.
- If the results are normal or negative, it means your immune system is likely working in a normal way.
- If the results are not normal or positive, you may have a problem with your immune system or some other illness.
- Your test may come back normal but you will still have certain signs. Your doctor will decide if you need certain treatment based on your signs and your blood work.
- Your doctor may order another test to verify the diagnosis.
- The doctor will talk with you about treatment.
What happens before the procedure?
- There are no special things to do before the test.
- Talk to your doctor about:
- All the drugs you are taking, as some drugs may affect the results of your blood work
- If you have any bleeding problems
What happens during the procedure?
It will only take a few minutes to have this test. You will be awake the whole time. You will have a small amount of blood taken from you with a needle. You may have a small amount of pain. The needle will be taken out and a bandage will be put on your skin. The lab will test your blood to see your ANA level.
What happens after the procedure?
- You may want to sit quietly for a few minutes before standing up. This will help keep you from feeling dizzy after the test.
- Ask your doctor when you will get the results.
What care is needed at home?
You may do your everyday activities when you get back home.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. This test will help your doctor understand if you have a problem. Together you can make a plan for more care.
What problems could happen?
- Pain
- Bruising
- Bleeding
- Feeling dizzy
- Infection
Where can I learn more?
American Association for Clinical Chemistry
http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/ana/tab/test
American College of Rheumatology
http://www.rheumatology.org/practice/clinical/patients/diseases_and_conditions/ana.asp
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you.
Copyright
Copyright © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc.