Antinuclear antibody (ANA)

What this test is

ANA stands for antinuclear antibody. It is a blood test for lupus. Lupus is a disease where the immune system attacks your own body. This test works best when you have clear signs. These include certain joint pain, a sun-triggered rash, or unexplained problems with blood counts or kidneys. Here is something important. About one in seven healthy people test positive for ANA. They have no disease at all. So a positive test without a clear reason is often a false alarm, not real lupus. If you do have signs of lupus, this is the right first test. A positive result is then worth following up.