Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA) Blood Test, from our experts to you.
Dr Sam Rodgers MBBS, MRCGPChief Medical Officer
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What is an ANA Blood Test?
Our Antinuclear Antibodies Blood Test sees whether you have auto-antibodies (which attack your cells) to help diagnose several autoimmune conditions, including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjögren's syndrome.
What can I learn from this test?
If are you experiencing symptoms, our test can help confirm if you have an autoimmune disease. However, a diagnosis is unlikely to be given from antibodies alone, as antibodies can be raised even if you have no evidence of disease.
What causes autoimmune conditions?
Autoimmune conditions happen if your immune system mistakes your body's cells as foreign cells and starts attacking them. Usually, your immune system is constantly looking for foreign bodies and will send out an army of fighter cells to attack them. However, if you have an autoimmune disease, your immune system mistakes parts of your body, like your joints or skin, as foreign. In this instance, it releases proteins called autoantibodies that attack healthy cells. Read more about this in our blog: Autoimmune disease – why one often follows another.