Patient Guide to This Laboratory Test: What It Measures, Why It Is Ordered, and How to Get Ready
The Nuclear Antibody test detects proteins in your blood that may attack your own body's cells, helping doctors diagnose autoimmune disorders.
{"This blood test checks for antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) that may mistakenly attack healthy cells","It helps diagnose autoimmune conditions like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and scleroderma","A positive result means antibodies were found, but further testing is needed to confirm a specific condition","The test uses immunofluorescence technology with rat liver tissue to detect antibody patterns","Results are reported as a titer (strength) and pattern that help identify the type of autoimmune disease"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 21423-9
- Short code
- ANA Titr Ser IF Rat Liv
- Synonyms
- ANA Titr Ser IF Rat Liv
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- if-rat-liver-substrate
- CPT
- 86038
- Specimen volume
- 5 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 4h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test, and what does it measure in your body to help your healthcare provider understand your overall health?
The Nuclear Antibody (ANA) test is a blood test that detects antinuclear antibodies in your bloodstream. These are proteins produced by your immune system that should protect you from foreign substances, but in some people, they mistakenly attack the nucleus of the body's own healthy cells. This test uses a special technique called immunofluorescence with rat liver tissue to identify these antibodies and determine their pattern.
Why do I need this test, and what symptoms, conditions, or health concerns might prompt my healthcare provider to order it?
Your doctor may order this test if you have symptoms of an autoimmune disorder. Common symptoms include joint pain and swelling, muscle pain, fatigue, fever, skin rashes (especially a butterfly-shaped rash on the face), sensitivity to sunlight, hair loss, chest pain, dry eyes or mouth, and numbness or tingling in hands or feet. This test helps doctors determine if your symptoms are caused by an autoimmune condition.
How is the test performed, and what can I expect step by step during the procedure at the lab, clinic, or hospital?
A healthcare professional will draw a small blood sample from a vein in your arm. The blood is then sent to a laboratory where technicians mix it with rat liver cells. If antinuclear antibodies are present, they will bind to the cell nuclei. A special fluorescent dye is added, and technicians use a microscope to detect the glowing pattern. The test reports both a titer (how many times the blood can be diluted and still show a positive result) and a pattern (the shape of the fluorescence).
How should I prepare for the test, and are there any special instructions, such as fasting or medication changes, that I need to follow beforehand?
No special preparation is typically needed for this test. You can eat and drink normally before the blood draw. However, certain medications can affect test results, so inform your doctor about all medications, supplements, and herbs you are taking. Some drugs that may influence results include certain blood pressure medications, antibiotics, and anti-seizure medications.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
A positive ANA test indicates that antinuclear antibodies were found in your blood. This can occur in many autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), which is the most common association. Other conditions linked to positive ANA results include Sjögren's syndrome, scleroderma, polymyositis, dermatomyositis, mixed connective tissue disease, and autoimmune hepatitis. However, a positive result does not always mean you have an autoimmune disease—some healthy people, especially older adults, may have low levels of ANA without any illness. Your doctor will interpret your results along with your symptoms, physical exam, and other tests to make an accurate diagnosis.
The titer level and pattern of fluorescence provide additional information. Higher titers (such as 1:160 or higher) are more likely to indicate disease. Different patterns (such as homogeneous, speckled, nucleolar, or centromere) can suggest different types of autoimmune conditions. Your doctor uses this information along with your clinical symptoms to determine the most likely diagnosis.
Frequently asked questions
Does a positive ANA test mean I have lupus?
Can this test be done at any time of day?
What do the different ANA patterns mean?
Will I need other tests after this one?
Can medications cause a positive ANA test?
Sources
- 1
- 2Mayo Clinic - ANA TestSource
- 3MedlinePlus - ANA TestSource
- 4
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy