Anti Nuclear Antibody (ANA-Elisa) Test In Bengaluru - Price & Details

The antinuclear antibody test (ANA-Elisa test) is a blood test that checks for antinuclear antibodies in your blood, which may be present if you have autoimmune conditions. Antibodies are proteins that your immune system makes to fight foreign substances such as viruses and bacteria. However, in some cases, the immune system mistakenly produces antinuclear antibodies that target healthy cells instead. They are called ‘antinuclear’ because they target the nucleus of cells, which is responsible for controlling important cell functions. It is normal to have a few antinuclear antibodies in your blood. However, a large number may be a sign of an autoimmune disorder. In these disorders, the immune system mistakenly attacks the healthy cells of your organs and tissues, which can cause serious health problems. Some of these disorders include systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Sjögren syndrome and systemic sclerosis. Doctors may advise an ANA test when symptoms such as ongoing fatigue, joint or muscle discomfort, swelling, unexplained fever, or skin rashes raise the possibility of an autoimmune disorder. The symptoms can differ depending on the condition and the organs involved. A positive ANA result alone cannot establish an autoimmune diagnosis. Doctors consider the result along with the person’s symptoms, medical history, examination, and other test results.

The ANA-Elisa test may be recommended when your symptoms do not have another clear explanation or when your medical history and examination suggest a possible autoimmune condition. Your doctor may recommend this test when there are signs or symptoms such as:

• Persistent or unexplained fatigue
• Joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
• Muscle pain or weakness
• Recurrent fever
• Unexplained skin rashes, blisters, or changes in skin colour
• Swelling of the salivary glands, particularly with dry mouth or dry eyes
• Symptoms affecting multiple parts of the body
• Unexplained abdominal pain
• Unexplained hair loss
• Increased sensitivity to sunlight
• Fingers or toes that turn unusually pale, blue, or red, especially in cold weather

Note: ANA testing is not usually recommended as a routine screening test for people without symptoms suggestive of an autoimmune disorder. This is because antinuclear antibodies can also be found in some healthy people, so a positive result does not necessarily mean that you have an autoimmune disease.

The ANA-Elisa test can help doctors evaluate certain autoimmune and connective tissue diseases. ANA is commonly associated with conditions such as:

• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): A long-term autoimmune disease that can affect several parts of the body, including the joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels, and nervous system.
• Sjögren syndrome: An autoimmune condition that commonly affects the glands that produce tears and saliva, causing dry eyes and dry mouth.
• Scleroderma (systemic sclerosis): An autoimmune condition that can cause changes in the skin and may affect blood vessels and internal organs.
• Inflammatory muscle diseases (myositis): A group of conditions that can cause inflammation and weakness of the muscles.
• Rheumatoid arthritis: An autoimmune condition that mainly affects the joints, causing pain, stiffness, and swelling.
• Psoriatic arthritis: An inflammatory condition that can cause joint pain, stiffness, and swelling in people with psoriasis.
• Autoimmune hepatitis: A condition in which the immune system attacks the liver, causing inflammation.
• Autoimmune thyroid diseases: Conditions in which the immune system attacks the thyroid gland and may affect thyroid hormone production.

Note: ANA is not specific to any one disease and cannot diagnose these conditions on its own. A positive ANA result may also occur in some healthy people and in certain other conditions. Doctors interpret the result along with your symptoms, medical history, examination, and other test results.

What to Expect Before the ANA-Elisa Test?

• No fasting is required. You can eat and drink normally before the ANA-Elisa test unless your doctor advises otherwise.
• Tell your doctor about all medicines and supplements you take. Some medicines and supplements may influence your test results.
• The ANA-Elisa test can be done at any time of day.
• Inform your doctor if you have been ill recently, especially viral diseases, since some of these can affect ANA results and influence the interpretation of the test.

What to Expect During the Blood Collection?

• A trained phlebotomist will clean the skin with an antiseptic and collect a small blood sample from a vein, usually in the arm using a sterile needle.
• The procedure usually takes only a few minutes and may cause mild discomfort or a slight pinching sensation.

What to Expect After the ANA-Elisa Test?

• Mild throbbing at the site may be felt after the blood is drawn. You may feel light-headed, which will pass in a few moments.
• Once the blood sample is collected, it is taken to a laboratory for analysis, where your ANA levels are measured. Once the report is ready, you can access it on the PharmEasy online portal.

Note: If you notice anything unusual at the puncture site, such as persistent bleeding, a rash, or pain, consult your healthcare provider.

The ANA-Elisa test measures antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in your blood using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. The result is reported as an OD (optical density) ratio.

The reference range and cut-off values may vary depending on the laboratory and the testing method used. Your ANA-Elisa report will include the applicable reference range for interpreting your result.

A positive ANA result is not specific to any one condition. ANA may also be found in some healthy individuals, particularly older adults, as well as in certain infections, malignancies, and drug-induced autoimmune conditions. The final diagnosis is made by a doctor based on the overall clinical picture, and other relevant investigations.

Potential Risks and Complications

• The sample collection procedure for the ANA-Elisa test is generally safe, with minimal risk. Mild pain, slight bleeding, or bruising may occur at the blood draw site. Dizziness or light-headedness may sometimes occur, which will pass in a few minutes. You may lie down until you feel better. Occasionally, vein access may be difficult or an infection may occur. Avoid lifting heavy objects or engaging in strenuous exercise for at least 4 to 6 hours.

Understanding ANA-Elisa Test Limitations

• A positive ANA result does not by itself confirm an autoimmune disease. Based on your symptoms and medical history, your doctor may recommend additional antibody tests or other investigations.
• ANA can be found in some healthy individuals, particularly older adults, and may also be detected in people with certain infections, cancers, or autoimmune reactions triggered by medicines.
• A negative ANA result cannot completely rule out an autoimmune disorder, as some autoimmune conditions may not produce detectable ANA, especially in their early stages.
• Certain factors may interfere with the test results, including problems with the blood sample and substances such as high-dose biotin or certain medicines.

The ANA-Elisa test is priced at around ₹449, though the exact cost can vary based on your location in Bengaluru and available offers. To better understand the pricing differences, you can compare the ANA-Elisa test costs across major cities in India.

You can book the Anti Nuclear Antibody (ANA-Elisa)Test in Bengaluru through PharmEasy with convenient home sample collection across several localities, including :

• Indiranagar
• Koramangala
• HSR Layout
• Whitefield
• Marathahalli
• Electronic City
• Jayanagar
• JP Nagar
• Banashankari
• BTM Layout
• Yelahanka
• Hebbal
• Malleshwaram
• Rajajinagar
• Basavanagudi
• Bellandur
• Mahadevapura
• KR Puram
• Kalyan Nagar
• Richmond Town

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