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By Mayo Clinic staffMany rheumatic diseases have similar signs and symptoms — joint pain, fatigue and fever. While an ANA test can't confirm a specific diagnosis, it can rule out some possible diseases. And if the ANA test is positive, your blood can be tested for the presence of particular antinuclear antibodies, some of which are specific to certain diseases.
References
- 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.
- Reichlin M. Measurement and clinical significance of antinuclear antibodies. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 21, 2011.
- 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.
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