A positive antinuclear antibody (ANA) test result indicates that antinuclear antibodies (ANA) are present in your blood
. ANA are proteins produced by your immune system to fight foreign substances, such as viruses and bacteria. However, in some cases, ANA can attack your own healthy cells instead of foreign substances
. This is called an autoimmune reaction
. A positive ANA test result suggests that your immune system is overactive but is not a diagnosis of any specific condition
. In fact, many people with a positive ANA test do not have an autoimmune disease
. Some conditions that can cause a positive ANA test include:
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Sjögren's syndrome
- Scleroderma
- Raynaud's syndrome
- Thyroid diseases
- Liver diseases
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Lung diseases
- Cancer
- Viral infections
A negative ANA test result means that no antinuclear antibodies are present in your blood, and you're less likely to have an autoimmune disorder
. However, a negative ANA test doesn't completely rule out the possibility of having an autoimmune or connective tissue disease
. If your ANA test results are positive, your healthcare provider will likely order more tests to make a diagnosis
. It is essential to discuss your test results with your doctor, who can help interpret them based on your clinical history and other factors
. In some cases, lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise, good sleep, and reducing or quitting tobacco and alcohol use, may help lower your ANA levels
