Skip to main content
Your session has expired. Reloading...
Autoimmune

ANA (antinuclear antibodies): what a positive result does and does not say

According to MedlinePlus, antibodies are proteins that the immune system makes to fight foreign substances such as viruses and bacteria. An antinuclear antibody attacks healthy cells instead, and is called that because it targets the nucleus of the cell. According to MedlinePlus, a few of these antibodies in the blood is normal.

According to MedlinePlus, a large number may be a sign of an autoimmune disorder, in which the immune system attacks the healthy cells of organs and tissues by mistake. According to MedlinePlus, a positive ANA can also fit a viral infection, another condition such as cancer, or certain medicines, and some healthy people also have antinuclear antibodies. Only a blood test shows whether they are in the blood.

Certe and Diagnostiek voor U use 'negative' as the reference for ANA, Unilabs 'not detectable'.

Turnaround 48 hours, estimate Turnaround: up to 48 hours after your blood draw (estimate).

ANA stands for antinuclear antibodies: antibodies that target the nucleus of healthy cells. According to MedlinePlus, a positive ANA may point to an autoimmune disorder, but some healthy people also have these antibodies.

  • Certe and Diagnostiek voor U use 'negative' as the reference for ANA, Unilabs 'not detectable'.
  • According to MedlinePlus, an ANA result alone cannot diagnose a specific disease.
  • According to MedlinePlus, certain medicines can cause antinuclear antibodies.

ANA (Antinuclear Antibodies): what this test measures

According to MedlinePlus, the ANA test looks for antinuclear antibodies in the blood. Unilabs measures ANA with an immunofluorescence test. After a positive screening at 1:80, Certe continues with the titre steps 1:160, 1:320 and 1:640, and adds an ENA test for a new patient whose positive ANA shows staining of the cell nucleus.

ANA (Antinuclear Antibodies): why this value matters

ANA matters because, according to MedlinePlus, the test helps diagnose autoimmune disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, Sjögren's syndrome, Addison disease, autoimmune hepatitis and thyroid diseases. According to MedlinePlus, results from an ANA test alone cannot diagnose a specific disease.

ANA (Antinuclear Antibodies): how the blood test works

Referral
No GP referral needed. After the order we arrange the referral through ZorgDomein, within one business day; orders after 17:00 or at the weekend start on the next business day. ZorgDomein emails a barcode, and that barcode is what the draw site needs.
The draw
A blood draw from a vein in the arm, at a partner laboratory's draw site. No home kit, no finger prick.
Results
Turnaround: up to 48 hours after your blood draw (estimate).
Where
650+ draw sites run by independent laboratories across the Netherlands. Draw sites

ANA (Antinuclear Antibodies): when is testing worthwhile?

According to MedlinePlus, an ANA test may be ordered for symptoms of an autoimmune disorder, such as fever, rash, blisters or skin colour changes, fatigue, joint pain, stiffness and swelling, muscle pain, swollen glands or abdominal pain. According to MedlinePlus, some medicines may affect the result; do not stop them on your own, talk to your provider first.

ANA (Antinuclear Antibodies): symptoms of a high or low value

Low Levels

According to MedlinePlus, a negative ANA means that no antinuclear antibodies were found in the blood and that an autoimmune disorder is less likely. According to MedlinePlus, a negative result does not completely rule out an autoimmune disorder.

High Levels

According to MedlinePlus, a positive ANA may be a sign of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), another autoimmune disease, a viral infection or another condition that can cause antinuclear antibodies, such as cancer; according to MedlinePlus, antibodies from a virus are usually only in the blood for a short time. Antinuclear antibodies do not always mean a disease: some healthy people have them, levels tend to increase with age, and certain medicines can cause them. According to MedlinePlus, after a positive ANA the provider will likely order more tests to make a diagnosis.

ANA (Antinuclear Antibodies): causes of a low or high value

What raises the value

  • Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

    A positive ANA may be a sign of systemic lupus erythematosus.

  • Another autoimmune disease

    A positive ANA may be a sign of a different type of autoimmune disease.

  • A viral infection

    A viral infection can give antinuclear antibodies, which are usually only in the blood for a short time.

  • Another condition, such as cancer

    Another health condition that can cause antinuclear antibodies, such as cancer, may lie behind a positive ANA.

  • Certain medicines

    Certain medicines can cause antinuclear antibodies.

ANA (Antinuclear Antibodies): lifestyle and this value

Discuss a positive ANA with your GP and mention any medicines you take, because according to MedlinePlus some medicines may affect the result.

ANA (Antinuclear Antibodies): frequently asked questions

Does a positive ANA mean I have an autoimmune disorder?

Not necessarily: according to MedlinePlus, a positive ANA does not always mean a disease, because some healthy people have antinuclear antibodies, and results from an ANA test alone cannot diagnose a specific disease.

How is an ANA result reported?

Certe and Diagnostiek voor U use 'negative' as the reference for an ANA result and Unilabs 'not detectable'; after a positive screening at 1:80, Certe tests further at the titre steps 1:160, 1:320 and 1:640.

ANA (Antinuclear Antibodies): sources

  1. MedlinePlus, ANA (Antinuclear Antibody) Test, medlineplus.gov, geraadpleegd 2026-10-18 (retrieved 2026) medlineplus.gov

Results without a doctor's assessment

You receive your values with the unit and reference range. A doctor's assessment is not part of this site. Discuss your results with your GP for explanation and treatment decisions.

ANA (Antinuclear Antibodies)

€39,-