Anti-nuclear ANA screening autoimmune disease

ANA (al. v. nuclear ag.) screening.

This particular test is not supported by Blood Values Test and makes sense to request only if requested by your practitioner.

This test is to examine whether the immune system produces anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA). These so-called autoantibodies are directed against parts of the nucleus in the body's cells and can lead to the development of autoimmune diseases.

Synonym(s); Anti-nuclear antibodies, ANF, ANA, Anti-nuclear factor.

The test determines the presence of anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA). It also examines whether there are many autoantibodies and whether they are strong or weak autoantibodies.

Usually, the immune system makes antibodies (also called immunoglobulins) against invading bacteria and viruses. In some people, something goes wrong in the immune system. In them, antibodies are made against some of their own proteins or cells. These antibodies are called autoantibodies because they are directed against one's own body. Auto means "self. The immune system then damages its own cells, entire tissues or even entire organs because the autoantibodies cause inflammation. We therefore speak of an autoimmune disease. Examples include rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematodus (SLE), Sjörgen's syndrome or myositis.

Negative resultis good

No autoantibodies have been detected and the likelihood that the symptoms are caused by an autoimmune disease is low.

Dubious

The result is not negative, but still so low that there is doubt whether it should be considered abnormal. This is also called the gray area.

Slightly elevated

Depending on the type of autoantibodies found and the patient's symptoms, a slight elevation may indicate an autoimmune disease.

Highly elevated

With a strong elevation, depending on the type of antibody and the patient's complaints, the suspicion of an autoimmune disease increases.


Anti-nuclear antibodies can be found in approximately 5% to 10% of the healthy population.

In case of a positive result, it is advised to continue testing for titer determination if relevant (pattern dependent).
An elevated result can also be followed by anti-ds DNA test and ENA test.

If you would like to have the Blot and ELISA test retested, look here for the retest: https://www.bloodtesting.nl/ana-doortest.html

The detection of autoantibodies in the blood does not automatically mean that someone is suffering from an autoimmune disease. In fact, autoantibodies may also be present in a person without a clearly identifiable autoimmune disease.

Importantly, the ANA test is only meaningful when there are also symptoms. In some autoimmune diseases, specific autoantibodies are very characteristic and demonstrating them helps in making the correct diagnosis. Some patients have a number of different autoantibodies. The combination of those types of autoantibodies may be characteristic of a particular autoimmune disease.

A positive ANA result occurs in several diseases in%:

• SLE: Active: 95-100%
• SLE not active: 80-100%
• Drug-induced lupes: 95%.
• Systemic sclerosis: 85-95%
• Poly / dermatomyositis: 30-50%
• Sj and oumlgren's syndrome: 70-80%
• Rheumatoid arthritis: 20-40%
• Chronic active hepatitis: 20-40%.