Quick answer
The Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) Test costs ₹720 at Live Line Health Care. A screening test for autoantibodies that target the cell nucleus. No fasting is needed. It uses a blood sample and the report is usually ready within 24 to 48 hours. Book home sample collection or visit any of our 45 centres.
Also known as: Antinuclear Antibody, ANA Test, Anti Nuclear Antibody, ANA Screening, ANF, Antinuclear Factor, Lupus Test, ANA Blood Test, Anti Nueclaer Antibodies
What is the ANA Test?
Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) are antibodies that mistakenly target material inside the nucleus of the body’s own cells. They are the hallmark of several autoimmune conditions, above all systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus), where almost everyone tests positive. ANA is also often positive in Sjögren’s syndrome, systemic sclerosis (scleroderma), mixed connective tissue disease and autoimmune liver and thyroid disease. That makes it a useful first screen when a doctor suspects one of these conditions.
The catch is that a positive ANA is common in healthy people too, especially at low levels, in women and with age, and after some infections or medicines. So a positive result is only meaningful when it fits real symptoms, such as joint pain with a facial rash, mouth ulcers, unexplained fevers or swelling. A negative ANA, on the other hand, makes lupus very unlikely. Depending on the method, the report may give a titre and a staining pattern, which help a specialist decide which further antibody tests, such as anti-dsDNA or an ENA panel, are worth doing.
What it measures: Antibodies against nuclear antigens in serum. By immunofluorescence (IFA), the report gives a titre and staining pattern; by ELISA or similar methods, it gives an index value compared with a cut-off.
Parameters included (1)
- Antinuclear Antibody (ANA)
Why is this test done?
- Screening for lupus when symptoms suggest it
- Investigating suspected Sjögren’s syndrome, scleroderma or mixed connective tissue disease
- Evaluating joint pain with rash, fevers or other signs of autoimmune disease
- Part of the workup for autoimmune hepatitis or unexplained low blood counts
- Assessing children with juvenile arthritis, where ANA links with eye inflammation risk
When should you get tested?
- Joint pain or swelling together with a rash on the cheeks or sun-exposed skin
- Recurring mouth ulcers, hair loss or unexplained fevers
- Fingers turning white or blue in the cold (Raynaud’s phenomenon)
- Persistent dry eyes and dry mouth
- Unexplained tiredness with a low blood count, protein in urine or chest pain on breathing
How to prepare for the ANA Test
- 1No fasting is needed.
- 2Tell the staff about medicines taken in recent months. Some, such as hydralazine, procainamide, isoniazid and certain anti-TNF drugs, can cause a positive ANA.
- 3Bring earlier ANA or autoimmune reports, since the titre and pattern are best compared over time and between similar methods.
ANA Test normal range
| Parameter | Typical reference range |
|---|---|
| IFA method | Negative, or a titre below 1:80 (some labs use 1:40) |
| ELISA or similar method | Negative below the kit cut-off, often an index below 1.0 |
| Healthy adults | Low titres such as 1:40 to 1:80 are found in many people without disease |
The method, cut-off and reporting format differ between labs, so read your result against the values on your report. Ranges are typical adult values and vary between labs, age and sex. Always use the range printed on your report and discuss results with your doctor.
Understanding your results
- A negative ANA makes lupus very unlikely, though it does not exclude every autoimmune condition.
- A low positive titre such as 1:80 without symptoms is common and usually needs no action. Higher titres such as 1:320 or above are more likely to be meaningful when symptoms fit.
- The staining pattern, such as homogeneous, speckled, nucleolar or centromere, hints at which condition and which further antibody tests are relevant, but it is not a diagnosis.
- A positive ANA with symptoms usually leads to more specific tests such as anti-dsDNA, an ENA panel, complement levels and urine tests, and a rheumatologist’s review.
ANA Test – FAQs
What is the price of the ANA Test?
The Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) Test costs ₹720 at Live Line Health Care, at all 45 centres and for home sample collection.
Does a positive ANA mean I have lupus?
No. Many healthy people, particularly women and older adults, have a positive ANA, usually at a low titre. Lupus is diagnosed from a combination of symptoms, examination findings and more specific blood and urine tests. A positive ANA simply tells your doctor that further assessment may be worthwhile.
What does an ANA titre of 1:80 or 1:160 mean?
The titre shows how far the sample can be diluted and still show antibodies. 1:80 is a low positive often found in healthy people. 1:160 is moderate. Higher titres such as 1:640 are more often linked with autoimmune disease, but symptoms still decide whether it matters.
What do ANA patterns like speckled or homogeneous mean?
They describe how the antibodies stain the cell nucleus under a microscope. A homogeneous pattern is often seen in lupus, speckled in several conditions, and centromere in limited scleroderma. Patterns guide which further tests are useful but cannot diagnose a disease on their own.
Can medicines cause a positive ANA?
Yes. Some medicines, such as hydralazine, procainamide, isoniazid and minocycline, and some biological drugs, can trigger ANA and occasionally lupus-like symptoms. These usually settle after the medicine is changed by the doctor. Never stop a prescribed medicine on your own because of an ANA result.
Should ANA be repeated to monitor lupus?
Usually not. Once ANA is positive, repeating it adds little, because the level does not track disease activity well. Doctors monitor lupus using symptoms, anti-dsDNA, complement levels, blood counts, kidney tests and urine, as your rheumatologist advises.
Where can I get the ANA Test done?
At any of our 45 Live Line Health Care centres in 40 cities across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, including Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Warangal, Kakinada and Nellore, or book home sample collection.
Medical disclaimer: This information is for general awareness only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a qualified doctor to interpret your results and before starting or changing any treatment.