How long do autoimmune blood tests take

The ANA test is especially helpful in diagnosing lupus. More than 95 percent of people with lupus will get a positive ANA test result. However, not everyone who gets a positive test result has lupus, and not everyone with lupus will have a positive test result. Speak with your doctor about additional tests that can be done to determine if there is an underlying cause for the increased ANA in your blood.

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Do I need to prepare for the test? What can I expect during the ANA panel? Are there any risks with the test? Learn more about lupus and its complex symptoms. The healthcare professional will take a blood sample using a needle and syringe or vial, often via a vein on the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. A person does not need to make any special preparation, such as avoiding food or drink, before giving the blood sample.

However, it is important to confirm this ahead of time. The doctor may also be performing other blood tests that do require fasting. Several medicines can affect ANA levels. The healthcare provider should be aware of any current medications before taking the sample. The ANA test is very sensitive to lupus, but a positive result does not necessarily mean that the person has the condition. The ANA test can also give a false-negative result. A person may have a negative result but still have lupus, especially the disease is in the early stages.

However, if after a positive result neither the person nor the doctor recognizes any signs or symptoms, the medical team may disregard the result. Their symptoms will help determine the cause of the ANA levels. If the result accompanies a set of symptoms and a medical history that confirm a lupus diagnosis, the doctor will advise the individual about how to manage the condition.

There is currently no cure for lupus. Drug treatments may include painkillers called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Examples of these include ibuprofen and naproxen. The ANA test is a highly sensitive but nonspecific test that can help rule out autoimmune conditions such as lupus. A doctor administers the test in a very similar way to other blood tests, and the person does not need to make special preparations.

While doctors often use the test to confirm a diagnosis of lupus, it can provide false-negative and -positive results. Many things may affect your lab test results. These include the method each lab uses to do the test.

Even if your test results are different from the normal value, you may not have a problem. To learn what the results mean for you, talk with your healthcare provider. A positive test for ANA does not mean you have an autoimmune disease. Antinuclear antibodies are measured in titers. A titer above is a positive test result. A positive result may mean:. You have systemic lupus erythematosis, or SLE. You have a short-term condition, like an infection, that's causing your antinuclear antibodies to go up.

The test requires a blood sample, which is drawn through a needle from a vein in your arm. Taking a blood sample with a needle carries small risks that include bleeding, infection, bruising, and a sense of lightheadedness. When the needle pricks your arm, you may feel a slight sting or pain. Afterward, the site may be sore. Many conditions can trigger a positive antinuclear antibody test even without an autoimmune disease.