ANA by IFA Reflex to ANA Profile

"ANA" stands for Antinuclear Antibodies. These are proteins produced by the immune system that target the body's own cells, specifically the nuclei. "IFA" stands for Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay, a method used to detect these antibodies. If the ANA by IFA test is positive, the lab will automatically perform further testing to identify specific types of ANA that can help identify a particular autoimmune disease – this is referred to as the ANA Profile.

This test is primarily used to help diagnose autoimmune diseases, including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, scleroderma, polymyositis, and dermatomyositis. It may also help diagnose other conditions that cause similar symptoms, such as fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.

The test requires a blood sample, which is typically drawn from a vein in your arm. The blood sample is then sent to a lab, where it's analyzed for the presence of ANA. If the test detects ANA, further tests are performed to identify the specific types of ANA present.

A negative result suggests that you don't have an autoimmune disorder. However, a positive ANA test alone does not confirm a diagnosis. If the ANA test is positive, the specific type of ANA present will guide the diagnosis toward a specific autoimmune disorder. Some types of ANA are associated with certain conditions more than others.

A positive result indicates that you have antinuclear antibodies in your blood, which suggests an autoimmune disorder. However, some healthy people — particularly older individuals — may have a positive ANA test without having an autoimmune disease. A positive test will trigger the reflex ANA Profile test for further evaluation.

The risks are minimal and standard for a blood draw, including slight pain or bruising at the injection site. In very rare cases, there may be complications, such as fainting or infection.

If the test results are positive, your healthcare provider will discuss the results with you and may order further testing, which can include imaging tests, other laboratory tests, or even a biopsy of affected tissues, depending on the suspected diagnosis.

No special preparation is needed for the ANA by IFA Reflex to ANA Profile test. You can continue with your normal diet and medications unless otherwise instructed by your healthcare provider.

Yes, certain medications can affect the test results. Some drugs can cause a positive ANA test without an autoimmune disease present, known as a drug-induced lupus syndrome. These can include certain heart medications, blood pressure medications, thyroid medications, and others. Always tell your healthcare provider about any medications, vitamins, or supplements you're taking.

No, not all autoimmune diseases produce antinuclear antibodies. Other tests may be needed to diagnose certain autoimmune diseases.

Yes, a positive ANA test can occur in healthy individuals, especially older people. Other conditions, such as infections, cancer, and chronic diseases, can also cause a positive ANA test.

Your doctor might order this test if you have symptoms of an autoimmune disease, such as fatigue, joint pain and swelling, skin rashes, dry eyes or mouth, hair loss, or raynaud's phenomenon (which is characterized by cold fingers or toes, color changes in the skin in response to cold or stress, and numbness or pain in the affected area).

No, this test requires a blood sample, which must be drawn by a healthcare professional and analyzed in a laboratory.