Anti Nuclear Antibody, EIA

Also known as Anti Nuclear Factor (ANF)

You need to provide

Blood

This test is for

Male, Female

Understanding Anti Nuclear Antibody, EIA

What is Anti Nuclear Antibody, EIA?

Anti Nuclear Antibody, EIA (ANA) test is used to detect the presence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in blood. ANAs are antibodies that cause disease by attacking healthy cells and tissues. The ANAs can cause damage to the joints, skin, muscles, and many other parts of the body. This test is suggested for people at risk or having autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune hepatitis, scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), etc.

Most people may have a minor percentage of ANA in their blood but having too much of it can be a sign of an autoimmune disease. The ANA levels also tend to increase with certain medications and age. A positive ANA test alone can’t diagnose a specific disease, further testing is also needed to know the underlying cause.

What is Anti Nuclear Antibody, EIA used for?

· To determine the presence of an autoimmune disease like Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

· To evaluate the possible presence of autoimmune Connective Tissue Disorders (CTDs) other than SLE such as Polymyositis, Scleroderma, Sjögren's syndrome etc.

Interpreting Anti Nuclear Antibody, EIA results

Interpretations

Results are provided as positive/negative or with an index value against a cutoff value.

A positive ANA test can also be seen in healthy individuals, particularly the elderly or in diseases other than Connective Tissue Disorders (CTD), where it has no diagnostic value.

Answers to Patient Concerns & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Anti Nuclear Antibody, EIA

Frequently Asked Questions about Anti Nuclear Antibody, EIA

Q. Is there any preparation required before the test?

Inform the doctor about the medications you may be taking. No other specific preparations are usually required before this test.

Q. What factors can falsely affect the test results?

The Antinuclear Antibody Test can be affected by a number of factors including: · Certain medications like procainamide, hydralazine, phenytoin, etc. · Old age · Long-term infection · Viral infection

Q. What additional tests can be prescribed by your doctor in case the result of ANA test is not normal?

Additional tests that may be prescribed in case of abnormal Antinuclear Antibody test result are: · Extractable Nuclear Antigen (ENA) Panel Test · Anti-dsDNA Antibody Test · Anti-Centromere Antibody Test · Anti-Histone Antibody Test · Anti-Smooth Muscle Antibody Test

Q. What is Systemic Lupus Erythematosus?

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus or SLE is a chronic autoimmune disease which shows severe symptoms alternating with mild symptoms in phases. Common symptoms of SLE include: · Red skin rash shaped like a butterfly across the face · Increased sensitivity towards light · Pain and inflammation in the joints · Muscle pain · Fatigue and weakness · Hair loss · Anemia · Raynaud’s Phenomenon (fingers tingling and turn blue or white) Further symptoms may appear specific to the organ system targeted by the immune system.

Q. Is there any risk associated with this test?

There is no risk associated with the test. However, since this test involves a needle prick to withdraw the blood sample, in very rare cases, a patient may experience increased bleeding, hematoma formation (blood collection under the skin), bruising or infection at the site of needle prick.

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