Anti Nuclear Antibodies - IgM Test

Anti-Nuclear Antibodies test is performed to determine whether the patient has an autoimmune disorder. When a patient has an autoimmune disease, the body's immunity system attacks the healthy cells in the body. The antibodies that attack the nucleus of the healthy cells are called antinuclear antibodies aka ANA. The presence ANAs can, therefore, indicate that the patient has an auto-immune disease like lupus. A positive result on the ANA testing only indicates to the presence of ANAs and further testing is required to determine exactly what caused the increase in ANAs in the blood stream.

Certain medications and drugs can affect the result of the test and the patient needs to inform the doctor about the medications they are on. The medications may have to be stopped or a few days before the test. It is not required for the patient to be fasting before the test. Also, inform the lab if you are allergic to latex. Wear a sleeveless or half sleeve shirt or top or a shirt whose sleeves can be rolled up for collecting blood. Although only a few milliliters of blood is needed for test, do inform the lab if you have had a history of feeling light headed after giving blood.

A positive result for the Antinuclear antibodies test can mean any of the following: If the ratio of the ANAs in the blood stream is not very high, then further tests need to be conducted to determine whether or not the patient as any auto immune disease. A high enough ratio indicates a strong presence of ANAs in the blood stream which is most probably due to an auto immune disease. Further tests can help the doctor narrow down the exact illness.

The blood collection for Anti-Nuclear antibodies test can be performed at a lab or at a clinic. A vein is selected for drawing blood. A tourniquet is secured above the vein. The skin is cleaned using a pad soaked in antiseptic. A needle is inserted in to the vein and blood is collected in one or two tubes. The tubes are labeled with your name or ID and then send to the laboratory for testing.