Ana results how long

Some are for disease monitoring, which means the amount or presence correlates with disease activity. The ANA test is best for helping to diagnose a disease, rather than tracking or making predictions, Dr. CreakyJoints is a digital community for millions of arthritis patients and caregivers worldwide who seek education, support, advocacy, and patient-centered research.

We present patients through our popular social media channels, our website CreakyJoints. We represent patients through our popular social media channels, our website CreakyJoints. Only fill in if you are not human. Share Facebook Twitter Email. What Patients Need to Know. 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. Clean the needle site with alcohol. Put the needle into the vein. More than one needle stick may be needed. Attach a tube to the needle to fill it with blood.

Remove the band from your arm when enough blood is collected. Apply a gauze pad or cotton ball over the needle site as the needle is removed.

Put pressure on the site and then put on a bandage. How It Feels The blood sample is taken from a vein in your arm. Risks Blood test There is very little chance of a problem from having a blood sample taken from a vein. You may get a small bruise at the site.

You can lower the chance of bruising by keeping pressure on the site for several minutes. In rare cases, the vein may become swollen after the blood sample is taken. This problem is called phlebitis. A warm compress can be used several times a day to treat this. Results An antinuclear antibody ANA test measures the amount and pattern of antibodies in your blood that work against your own body autoimmune reaction.

Examples include: Rheumatoid arthritis. More than one-third of people with rheumatoid arthritis have a positive ANA test. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Raynaud's syndrome. Some infectious diseases and cancers have been associated with the development of antinuclear antibodies, as have certain drugs.

If your doctor suspects you have an autoimmune disease, he or she is likely to order a number of tests. The result of your ANA test is one piece of information your doctor can use to help determine the cause of your signs and symptoms. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.

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