What is ANA in blood?

Antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) are a type of autoantibody that is produced by the immune system in response to the body's own cell nuclei. They are found in the blood of people with certain autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, Sjogren's syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis.

ANAs are produced when the immune system mistakenly identifies the cell nuclei as foreign and attacks them. This can lead to inflammation and damage to the affected cells and tissues.

The presence of ANAs in the blood can be a sign of an autoimmune disease, but it is not always indicative of disease activity. Some people with ANAs may not have any symptoms or signs of disease, while others may have severe symptoms.

The type of ANA that is present in the blood can also provide information about the underlying autoimmune disease. For example, the presence of certain ANAs is associated with lupus, while other ANAs are associated with Sjogren's syndrome.

ANA testing is a common blood test that is used to help diagnose autoimmune diseases. It is often used in conjunction with other tests, such as a complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP) test.

If you are experiencing symptoms of an autoimmune disease, your doctor may order an ANA test to help determine if you have an autoimmune disease.