Joint symptoms, including pain and swelling.Common symptoms of autoimmune disorders include: When should I get an antinuclear antibody test?Ī patient’s doctor may test for antinuclear antibodies if a patient has symptoms of an autoimmune disorder. When large amounts of autoantibodies are detected, it may be a sign of an autoimmune disorder. In fact, up to one-third of healthy adults over 65 years of age may test positive for ANAs. Most people have a small amount of autoantibodies in their blood, and levels of ANAs often increase with age. Antinuclear antibodies attack the nucleus of healthy cells, which is why they are called “antinuclear.” The nucleus is a cell’s command center, sending signals that trigger important cell functions.ĪNAs identify normal proteins in a cell’s nucleus as foreign and dangerous, triggering a process of inflammation in which the body begins to attack itself. What does the test measure?Īntinuclear antibody testing detects and measures the amount of ANA in a patient’s blood. Doctors consider a patient’s ANA test results along with the patient’s symptoms, physical exam, and other laboratory tests to diagnose or rule out an autoimmune disorder.

ANA may be detected in several disorders, including:ĪNA testing cannot diagnose an autoimmune disorder on its own. Testing for ANAs may be suggested for patients with symptoms of an autoimmune disorder. ANA testing can assist health care providers in diagnosing autoimmune disorders and provide information that may be helpful in determining a patient’s specific type of autoimmune disorder. The purpose of an antinuclear antibody test is to detect, measure, and evaluate antinuclear antibodies in a patient’s blood sample.

Ana screen marker positive