What should your ANA pattern be?

ANAs can be found in approximately 5% of the normal population, usually in low titers (low levels). These people usually have no disease. Titers of 1:80 or lower are less likely to be significant. (ANA titers of less than or equal to 1:40 are considered negative.)

What are the different ANA patterns?

The different ANA patterns are abbreviated as follows: Nucleolar (N-ANA), Speckled (S-ANA), Mitochondrial (M-ANA), Homogenous (H-ANA), Cytoplasmic (C-ANA), Speckled + Cytoplasmic (SC-ANA), Centromere (Cen-ANA), Homogenous + Nucleolar (HN-ANA), and Homogenous + Mitochondrial (HM-ANA).

What do the ANA patterns mean?

A positive ANA test is usually reported as both a ratio (called a titer) and a pattern, such as smooth or speckled. Certain diseases are more likely to have certain patterns. The higher the titer, the more likely the result is a “true positive” result, meaning you have significant ANAs and an autoimmune disease.

What type of follow up testing is recommended for a speckled ANA pattern?

For a speckled ANA pattern, follow-up testing for antibodies directed to the extractable nuclear antigens (ENA) is indicated. ENA testing is most frequently done by ELISA method.

What does a positive ANA homogeneous pattern mean?

A positive ANA test means that a person may have an autoimmune disease, depending on the titre. Almost everyone with lupus (99.9% of cases) has a positive ANA test result. As a general rule, if a person’s ANA test is negative, then they do not have lupus.

What is the difference between homogeneous and speckled ANA?

Homogenous: The entire nucleus is stained with ANA. This is the most common pattern and can be seen with any autoimmune disease. Homogenous staining can result from antibodies to DNA and histones. Speckled: Fine and coarse speckles of ANA staining are seen throughout the nucleus.

What is speckled pattern?

Speckled pattern correlates with antibody to nuclear antigens extractable by saline; it is found in many disease states, including SLE and scleroderma. When antibodies to DNA and deoxyribonucleoprotein are present (rim and homogenous pattern), there may be interference with the detection of speckled pattern.

What does speckled pattern ANA mean?

Speckled: Fine and coarse speckles of ANA staining are seen throughout the nucleus. This pattern is more commonly associated with antibodies to extractable nuclear antigens. This pattern can be associated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Sjögren’s syndrome, Systemic Sclerosis, Polymyositis, and Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Can vitamin D deficiency cause positive ANA?

Elevated ANA is sometimes found in healthy individuals, and has been consistently associated with female sex and older age (12-14). ANA positivity has been associated with vitamin D deficiency in autoimmune disease patients (15-17), but little is known about vitamin D and ANA in healthy populations.

What does an ANA test look for?

An ANA test looks for antinuclear antibodies in your blood. If the test finds antinuclear antibodies in your blood, it may mean you have an autoimmune disorder. An autoimmune disorder causes your immune system to attack your own cells, tissues, and/or organs by mistake.

Can a positive ANA test also be a sign of SLE?

However, a positive ANA test may also be seen … Autoantibody testing is performed to help diagnose patients who have clinical symptoms suggestive of possible autoimmune diseases. Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) are present in many systemic autoimmune conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

What does antinuclear antibody test show?

Antinuclear antibody (ANA) testing is useful as an initial screen for autoimmune diseases such as Sjögren syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, and scleroderma. ANA test results provide patterns that may be suggestive of a specific autoimmune disease or diseases.

How do you prepare for an ANA blood test?

How you prepare An ANA test requires a sample of your blood. If your sample is being used only for an ANA test, you can eat and drink normally before the test. If your blood sample will be used for additional tests, you might need to fast for a time before the test.