What is an ANA blood test
Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA). Guide. An antinuclear antibody (ANA) test measures the amount and pattern of antibodies in your blood that work against your own body (autoimmune reaction). The body's immune system normally attacks and destroys foreign substances such as bacteria and viruses.n antinuclear antibodies (ANA) test is done to help identify problems with the immune system, such as: 1  Rheumatoid arthritis. 2  Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). 3  Polymyositis. 4  Scleroderma. 5  Sjoegren'sjögren s.  syndrome Definition. An ANA test detects antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in your blood. Your immune system normally makes antibodies to help you fight infection.In contrast, antinuclear antibodies often attack your body's own tissues — specifically targeting each cell's nucleus.In most cases, a positive ANA test indicates that your immune system has launched a misdirected attack on your own tissue — in other words, an autoimmune reaction.n contrast, antinuclear antibodies often attack your body's own tissues — specifically targeting each cell's nucleus. In most cases, a positive ANA test indicates that your immune system has launched a misdirected attack on your own tissue — in other words, an autoimmune reaction. The antinuclear antibody (ANA) test is used as a primary test to help evaluate a person for autoimmune disorders that affect many tissues and organs throughout the body (systemic) and is most often used as one of the tests to help diagnose systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) .he most common condition is SLE. 1  SLE—ANA are most commonly seen with SLE. 2  About 95% of those with SLE have a positive ANA test result. 3  If someone also has symptoms of SLE, such as arthritis, a rash, and skin sensitivity to light, then the person probably has SLE. Shares & Saves. Save. An ANA blood test is a test that measures the amount of antinuclear antibodies in the blood stream. Antinuclear antibodies are autoantibodies that work against the cells and the nucleus.Everyone has low levels of these substances in their blood.he Test. The ANA blood test is performed in a laboratory. A vial of blood is drawn from a vein in your arm by a laboratory technician. This sample of your blood will then be exposed in the laboratory to cells. An antinuclear antibody (ANA) test measures the amount and pattern of antibodies in your blood that work against your own body (autoimmune reaction).If there are more antibodies in the blood than normal, the test is positive.n antinuclear antibody (ANA) test measures the amount and pattern of antibodies in your blood that work against your own body (autoimmune reaction). A positive antinuclear antibody (ANA) test does not automatically mean you have lupus. Your immune system is your body's natural defense against disease. A positive ANA blood test shows that your immune system is making an antibody (protein) that reacts with components of your body's cells.This is called autoimmunity and may or may not be harmful to your body. positive ANA blood test shows that your immune system is making an antibody (protein) that reacts with components of your body's cells. This is called autoimmunity and may or may not be harmful to your body. The ANA blood test is one of many screening tests for autoimmune disorders. Find out how this test helps doctors to identify invisible illnesses that cause chronic pain and other symptoms and learn what your test results mean.slide 1 of 4.he results of this test used to determine an ANA titer are also described as the type of fluorescent patterns that show up on the cells contained in the blood sample. Specific patterns can indicate specific autoimmune diseases. Why the Test is Ordered. According to the American Association for Clinical Chemistry, the ANA blood test is ordered when someone exhibits the signs and symptoms of an autoimmune disorder. Some symptoms of autoimmune disorders include low-grade fever, joint pain, body aches, skin rashes, and chronic fatigue.he results of this test used to determine an ANA titer are also described as the type of fluorescent patterns that show up on the cells contained in the blood sample. Specific patterns can indicate specific autoimmune diseases. The Test. The ANA blood test is performed in a laboratory. A vial of blood is drawn from a vein in your arm by a laboratory technician. This sample of your blood will then be exposed in the laboratory to cells.If there are antibodies that react to the nucleus of these cells, then there is a finding of ANA antibodies present.he Test. The ANA blood test is performed in a laboratory. A vial of blood is drawn from a vein in your arm by a laboratory technician. This sample of your blood will then be exposed in the laboratory to cells. The results of this test used to determine an ANA titer are also described as the type of fluorescent patterns that show up on the cells contained in the blood sample. Specific patterns can indicate specific autoimmune diseases.he results of this test used to determine an ANA titer are also described as the type of fluorescent patterns that show up on the cells contained in the blood sample. Specific patterns can indicate specific autoimmune diseases.
One of many screening tests for autoimmune disorders.