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

The antinuclear antibody (ANA Elisa) test is a blood test used to check for antinuclear antibodies, which can be associated with certain autoimmune disorders. Antibodies are protective proteins produced by the immune system to recognise and fight foreign substances, such as bacteria and viruses. In some situations, the immune system mistakenly makes antibodies against the body’s own healthy tissues. These are known as autoantibodies. Antinuclear antibodies are autoantibodies that react with substances present inside the nucleus of cells. Detecting ANA in the blood may be associated with autoimmune conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Sjögren syndrome and systemic sclerosis. However, ANA can also be detected in some healthy individuals and may occur with certain infections or other conditions. 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 is generally considered when your symptoms cannot be explained by other conditions or when an autoimmune disease is suspected based on your medical history and examination. 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?

• You may eat and drink normally, as fasting is not necessary for this test.
• This test may be done at any time of day.
• Inform your doctor about all the medicines and supplements you are on, and if you have had any recent illnesses or medical conditions, especially viral illnesses, as some of these may influence your test results.

What to Expect During the Blood Collection?

• The ANA-Elisa test is a quick procedure that typically takes only a few minutes. During sample collection, a trained phlebotomist cleans the skin and draws a small blood sample from a vein, usually in the arm, using a sterile needle.
• Slight pain or a sting may be felt when the needle is inserted.

What to Expect After the ANA-Elisa Test?

• Mild throbbing at the site may be felt after the blood is drawn.
• If you feel dizzy, you may lie down for a while.
• Once the blood sample is collected, it is sent to a laboratory for analysis, where your blood is tested for ANA.

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

Usually only mild discomfort is experienced during blood sample collection. You should contact your doctor if:

• There is continuous bleeding from the blood draw site despite applying gentle pressure.
• Significant redness, swelling, warmth, or persistent pain develops around the blood draw site.
• You feel faint for a long time after the blood sample collection.

Understanding ANA-Elisa Test Limitations

• A positive ANA result alone cannot confirm an autoimmune disease or determine which specific condition a person may have.
• ANA can be present in healthy individuals, especially with increasing age, and may also occur with certain infections, cancers, or reactions to some medicines.
• A negative ANA result does not completely exclude an autoimmune disorder. Some conditions may have a negative ANA result, particularly during their early stages.
• ANA testing cannot identify the specific autoimmune condition by itself. Depending on your symptoms and medical history, your doctor may advise additional antibody tests or other investigations.
• Certain factors can affect the accuracy of the test, including issues with the blood sample and substances such as high-doses of biotin or some medicines.

The ANA-Elisa test is priced at around ₹449, though the exact cost can vary based on your location in Kolkata 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 Kolkata through PharmEasy with convenient home sample collection across several localities, including :

• Salt Lake
• New Town
• Rajarhat
• Dum Dum
• Lake Town
• Baguiati
• Park Street
• Ballygunge
• Bhowanipore
• Alipore
• Behala
• Tollygunge
• Jadavpur
• Garia
• Kalighat
• Kasba
• Kankurgachi
• Ruby
• Sealdah
• Shyambazar

You can also check service availability during purchase by entering your pin code.