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

The antinuclear antibody (ANA-Elisa) test is a blood test that detects antinuclear antibodies, which may be present in several autoimmune disorders. The immune system is the body’s natural defence system that protects against infections and other harmful substances while normally distinguishing them from healthy cells and tissues. Autoimmunity occurs when the immune system mistakenly recognises the body’s own healthy cells or tissues as foreign and mounts an immune response against them. These conditions can affect different organs and may cause varied symptoms. For example, joint pain and stiffness may occur in conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, while skin rashes and sensitivity to sunlight may be seen in lupus. Dry eyes and mouth may suggest Sjögren syndrome, whereas skin tightening or thickening can occur in systemic sclerosis. Your doctor may recommend an ANA-Elisa test if you have persistent or unexplained symptoms such as joint or muscle pain, fatigue, fever, skin changes, or swelling that raise suspicion of an autoimmune condition. It may also be advised when there are signs of unexplained organ involvement. ANA testing is often interpreted along with your symptoms, medical history, and other investigations, such as complete blood count, urinalysis, kidney or liver function tests, and specific autoimmune antibody tests. A positive ANA result does not by itself confirm a specific autoimmune disease.

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, 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?

• Fasting is not necessary for this test, and it may be done at any time of day.
• Your doctor should be informed about all the medicines and supplements you are on, and whether you have had any recent illnesses, especially bacterial or viral, as these may affect the ANA-Elisa test results.

What to Expect During the Blood Collection?

• A phlebotomist will arrive at your home for the blood sample collection.
• An elastic band will be placed around your arm, and you may be asked to make a fist. Using a sterile needle, a small blood sample will be drawn from a vein in your arm. You may be advised to apply mild pressure at the blood draw site using a cotton swab.
• The procedure usually takes only a few minutes.

What to Expect After the ANA-Elisa Test?

• Mild throbbing at the site may be felt after the blood is drawn. If you feel faint, you may lie down for a while. The sample will be sent to the lab to be analysed. Your test results should be available within a few hours, which you can access from the PharmEasy online platform.

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 ANA-Elisa test is generally safe.
• Minor risks involved with a blood draw may occasionally occur, such as mild pain, slight bleeding, bruising, dizziness, or light-headedness. Sometimes, vein access may be difficult.

Understanding ANA-Elisa Test Limitations

• A positive ANA result does not confirm an autoimmune disease. ANA can be found in healthy people and may also occur with infections, certain cancers, and other conditions.
• ANA is sensitive but not specific. A positive result can occur in people who do not have an autoimmune disease, especially when the test is done without symptoms suggesting one.
• A negative ANA result does not rule out all autoimmune diseases. Some conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory muscle diseases, and certain types of vasculitis, may occur without a positive ANA.
• The ANA test is not interpreted alone. Your doctor will consider your symptoms, medical history, examination and other investigations such as full blood count, urinalysis, and specific tests to determine what the ANA result means for you.
• ANA cannot identify the specific autoimmune condition on its own. If the result is positive, your doctor may recommend more specific antibody tests, depending on your symptoms and other findings.

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

• Andheri
• Bandra
• Khar
• Sion
• Matunga
• Juhu
• Goregaon
• Malad
• Kandivali
• Borivali
• Churchgate
• Powai
• Ghatkopar
• Chembur
• Kurla
• Dadar
• Lower Parel
• Worli
• Mulund
• Vikhroli

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