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How you prepare

By Mayo Clinic staff

If your blood sample is being used only for an ANA test, you can eat and drink normally before the test. If your blood sample will be used for additional tests, you may need to fast for a certain amount of time before the test. Your doctor will give you specific instructions.

Certain drugs affect the accuracy of the test, so bring your doctor a list of all the medications you take.

What you can expect Why it's done
References
  1. Arend WP, et al. Laboratory evaluation of systemic inflammatory disease. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/191371208-2/0/1492/0.html#. Accessed June 21, 2011.
  2. Reichlin M. Measurement and clinical significance of antinuclear antibodies. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 21, 2011.
  3. Tassiulas IO, et al. Clinical features and treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus: Diagnostic tests. In: Firestein GS, et al. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/208746819-6/0/1807/0.html. Accessed June 21, 2011.
MY00787 Aug. 31, 2011

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