ANA (Anti-Nuclear Antibodies)

The baseline for many rheumatological investigations, a high titre (in effect a high concentration) of this antibody is associated with a higher risk of having or at some point developing connective tissue disorders such as SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus), scleroderma or Sjogren’s syndrome. A positive result may lead to a recommendation for further testing – including antibodies to ENA (extractable nuclear antigens) and anti-ds DNA antibodies. Symptoms are all important of course, having a positive result does not necessarily mean it is inevitable that you will succumb to one of these relatively rare conditions.