Can an ANA test be wrong?

Can an ANA test be wrong?

The ANA test is reported to have a false negative rate of about 5 percent . However, most people who do have lupus and initially test negative will go on to test positive at a later date.

How to read the results of an ANA blood test?

How to Read ANA Blood Test Results. An antinuclear antibody (ANA) test is a blood test used to diagnose autoimmune disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It may be ordered in conjunction with other autoantibody tests such as ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) or CRP (C-reactive protein) for more specific diagnostic studies.

What should I know about ANA tests and lupus?

What Should I Know About ANA Tests and Lupus? There is no one definitive test for lupus – an ANA test is just one tool used to help diagnose lupus. The ANA test is not a specific test for lupus. This means that most people with lupus will have a positive ANA test, but not everyone with a positive ANA test has lupus.

Can a person with no disease get an ANA test?

Many people with no disease have positive ANA tests — particularly women older than 65. 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.

Can a negative ANA test diagnose SLE?

Furthermore, antibody tests and symptoms go hand in hand. Antibodies alone do not diagnose the disease. If you have all four of the above-referenced traits, you will, most likely, be diagnosed with SLE. If not all four, than any diagnosis, is presumptive. It is presumed the patient has lupus, even if the ANA test comes back negative.

When to worry about Ana blood test results?

Usually doctors get highly concerned if the ANA test results are more than 1:80. It is important to note that the ANA test results are usually positive in people who are more than 65 years of age. If that is the case, then it shouldn’t be something to worry about.

Many people with no disease have positive ANA tests — particularly women older than 65. 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.

What does a negative ANA test mean for lupus?

A negative ANA test is often confirmation that an individual does not have lupus. The American College of Rheumatology report that more than 95 percent of people with lupus test positive for ANA. As a result, doctors consider the test to be highly sensitive for this condition. Not everyone with a positive ANA result has lupus, however.

How is an ANA test done at the Mayo Clinic?

For an ANA test, a member of your health care team takes a sample of blood by inserting a needle into a vein in your arm. The blood sample is sent to a lab for analysis. You can return to your usual activities immediately. The presence of antinuclear antibodies is a positive test result.