The ANA blood test measures a certain jot down of antibodies.
Serum from the blood specimen is added to microscope slides which have commercially prepared cells on the slide surface.
The second (fluorescent) antibody attaches to the serum antibodies and cells which have bound together.
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When the slide is viewed under an ultraviolet microscope, antinuclear antibodies appear as fluorescent cells.
The commonly recognized patterns include:
What Does a Positive ANA Blood Test Result Mean?
Antinuclear antibodies can also be found in people with:
Some prescription drugs can cause drug-induced antinuclear antibodies.
ANA results are just one factor considered when a diagnosis is being formulated.
Your healthcare provider would also consider your clinical symptoms, medical history, and other diagnostic tests.
A Word From Verywell
The ANA blood test can seem complicated.
The results are considered along with your health history and results of other tests.
Nosal RS, Varacallo M.Biochemistry, antinuclear antibodies (ANA).
StatPearls [Internet].
Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.
Testing.com.Antinuclear antibody (ANA) test.
American College of Rheumatology.Antinuclear antibodies (ANA).
