Understanding High ANA Test Results: Causes & What They Mean

The ANA test is a blood test that is used to detect antinuclear antibodies in a patient̵7;s blood. These antibodies act abnormally and may attack healthy tissues in a patient̵7;s body.

Test Results

• According to the Mayo Clinic, patients with antinuclear antibodies in their blood will have a positive test result from the ANA test. A positive test result is a high result because antinuclear antibodies should not be present in a healthy patient.

Reasons

• Doctors may order an ANA test if a patient has symptoms of a connective tissue disease such as unexplained fatigue or painful joints.

Test Procedure

• A health care professional will draw a blood sample from a patient̵7;s arm by inserting a needle into a vein and collecting blood. The blood sample is evaluated by a laboratory and results are sent to the patient̵7;s doctor.

Causes

• A positive ANA test result may be caused by rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or scleroderma. Infectious diseases such as mononucleosis, some blood pressure medications and anti-seizure drugs may cause a positive ANA test result.

Related Tests

• Doctors may order other blood tests for patients with symptoms of connective tissue disease including other antibody tests, a complete blood count test and an erythrocyte sedimentation rate test.