ANA (antinuclear antibody) test
Quick answer: An ANA test checks your blood for antinuclear antibodies, which attack parts of your own cells. The IF method also reports a pattern and titre. Doctors usually order it as a first screening test when they suspect an autoimmune condition such as lupus, Sjogren's syndrome or scleroderma.
- SampleBlood
- TakesAbout 5 minutes
- Before the testNo special preparation is usually needed.
How the test is done
- 1A nurse ties a band around your upper arm
- 2The inside of your elbow is cleaned with a swab
- 3A small needle draws blood into a tube
- 4In the lab, your serum is placed on cells and viewed under a fluorescence microscope
What your results can mean
Reading your report
A low positive result is common in healthy people, so a positive ANA is read with the titre, pattern, symptoms and follow-up tests by your doctor.
If the result is outside the usual range
A positive result, especially at a high titre, can be seen with lupus, Sjogren's syndrome, scleroderma, myositis and autoimmune liver or thyroid disease, but also in healthy people and with some infections or medicines. A negative ANA makes lupus much less likely.
Who usually has this test
People with joint pain, rashes, mouth ulcers, unexplained fever or tiredness, and some women with recurrent miscarriage.
Risks and aftercare
Apart from a possible small bruise, there is nothing special to do afterwards.
Names and options
Also called: ANA, antinuclear antibody, ANA IF, ANA by immunofluorescence, ANA ELISA
Options
- ANA, serum
- ANA by immunofluorescence (IF)
Listed by the hospital as
- ANA, SERUM
- ANA, IF METHOD
Questions about this test
Does a positive ANA test mean I have lupus?
Not necessarily. Many healthy people, especially women and older adults, have a low positive ANA. Your doctor looks at the titre, pattern, your symptoms and more specific tests such as anti-dsDNA before making any diagnosis.
Why is ANA tested in women with recurrent miscarriage?
Some doctors check ANA as part of an autoimmune work-up when there have been repeated pregnancy losses. Its role is debated, and it is usually read together with antiphospholipid antibody tests.
What do the titre and pattern on an ANA report mean?
The titre, such as 1:80 or 1:320, shows how much the serum can be diluted before the antibody stops showing. The pattern, such as speckled or homogeneous, hints at which specific antibodies may be present and guides the next tests.
Related tests
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This page explains each test in general terms so you know what to expect. It is not medical advice: your doctor decides which tests you need and what your results mean. Reference ranges differ between laboratories. Updated 4 November 2026.