Understanding Your Laboratory Test: What It Is, How It Is Performed, and What Your Results Mean
A blood test that detects antibodies associated with certain types of blood vessel inflammation (vasculitis).
{"ANCA test helps diagnose autoimmune conditions that cause blood vessel inflammation","It is primarily used to detect conditions like granulomatosis with polyangiitis and microscopic polyangiitis","The test uses immunofluorescence to detect specific antibodies (p-ANCA and c-ANCA) in blood","Results help doctors distinguish between different types of vasculitis","This test is often ordered along with other tests for complete diagnosis"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 35279-9
- Short code
- ANCABIF
- Synonyms
- ANCA Ab Ser Ql IF
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Serum separator tube (SST), red-top tube, or tiger-top tube. Alternative: plain red-top tube with clot activator.
- Units
- N/A
- Critical range
- 0.5 N/A – —
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA) using ethanol-fixed and formalin-fixed neutrophil substrates
- CPT
- 86256
- SNOMED
- 39520004
- Specimen volume
- 1 mL serum (minimum 0.5 mL)
- Stability
- Room temperature: 8 hours. Refrigerated (2-8°C): 7 days. Frozen (-20°C or below): 30 days. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 24–72 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test? A laboratory test is a procedure in which a small sample of your blood, urine, or other body tissue is analyzed to help your doctor check how your body is working, screen for disease, or monitor a condition you already have.
The Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody (ANCA) test is a blood test that detects antibodies in your blood that attack neutrophils (a type of white blood cell). These antibodies are associated with certain autoimmune conditions that cause inflammation in blood vessels, known as vasculitis.
How is the test performed? A trained healthcare professional will collect a small sample, most often by drawing blood from a vein in your arm using a sterile needle. The sample is then sent to a laboratory, where specialized equipment and trained staff analyze it and report the findings to your doctor.
A healthcare provider will draw a small blood sample from a vein in your arm. The blood is then sent to a laboratory where it is analyzed using a technique called immunofluorescence. This method can detect whether you have specific types of ANCA antibodies: c-ANCA (cytoplasmic) or p-ANCA (perinuclear).
What do the results mean? Your results are compared with a reference range, which reflects the values seen in most healthy people. Values outside this range may suggest a condition that needs further evaluation, but only your doctor, who knows your full medical history, can interpret what your specific results mean for you.
A positive ANCA test indicates the presence of these antibodies in your blood. However, a positive result does not automatically mean you have a disease. Your doctor will interpret the results along with your symptoms, physical examination, and other laboratory tests to make an accurate diagnosis. The pattern of staining (c-ANCA vs p-ANCA) can help determine the specific type of condition you may have.
Reference range
Negative: No atypical staining pattern observed. Positive: Atypical staining pattern observed (c-ANCA or p-ANCA) at reported titer (e.g., 1:20, 1:40, 1:80, 1:160). Reference ranges may vary by laboratory.N/A
No special patient preparation required. Fasting is not necessary.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
The ANCA test is primarily used to diagnose and monitor certain types of vasculitis, including granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA). These conditions cause inflammation and damage to blood vessels throughout the body. The test can also help differentiate between similar-looking conditions and monitor disease activity during treatment.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to fast before this test?
Is the test painful?
How long does it take to get results?
Can this test be positive in other conditions?
Will I need to repeat this test?
Sources
- 1Mayo Clinic - ANCA testSource
- 2MedlinePlus - ANCASource
- 3
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 17, 2026. · Read our editorial policy