<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

Greg wrote,
>
> My GP just ordered an Antinuclear Antibody test (ANA)>  Can anyone tell me
> what this is and what it is testing for?  Also, I noticed that there are
> different kinds of ANA testing (ELISA and others.) What is the difference
> between these various types of ANA tests??
>
Karen supplied the following useful links on ANA:

http://pathweb.pds.med.umich.edu/handbook/Antinucl.htm

http://www.hamline.edu/lupus/index

http://www.aztec.co.za/users/drdoc/

A positive ANA test result indicates that there is a significant
quantity of antibodies to cellular nuclear matter present in the blood.
More specific ANA testing can help to distinguish among a number of
autoimmune diseases including SLE (Lupus).  There are some conditions
that may give false positive or incorrect results with this test.  (See
the Web sites for more details).

DISCLAIMER: < Not Medical Advice >

Regards,

John Dankowych