ANA (Antinuclear Antibody)

Routine annual

also antinuclear antibody screen

What it isA screening test for antibodies that target the cell nucleus. ANA appears in lupus and many other systemic autoimmune diseases.

DoesActs as the first-pass screen for systemic autoimmune disease.

GoodA negative ANA effectively rules out most systemic autoimmune disease.

BadA positive ANA, especially at high titers and with characteristic patterns, prompts evaluation for lupus, scleroderma, mixed connective tissue disease, Sjögren's, or autoimmune hepatitis. Low-titer positives occur in healthy people.

Standard

Negative (<1:80 titer).

Optimal

Negative (lower is good)

Modifiers

Low-titer ANA can be positive in healthy people and rises with age; certain drugs induce ANA.

How to optimize

Lifestyle: Stress management; sleep; sun protection for known lupus; quit smoking.
Diet: Anti-inflammatory whole-food pattern; identify food sensitivities.
Supplements: Omega-3 EPA+DHA (2–4g/day), vitamin D3 (target 60–80 ng/mL), curcumin.
Peptides: Thymalin, thymosin alpha-1 may modulate autoimmune activity.
Drugs: Disease-specific (hydroxychloroquine for lupus, immunosuppressants).

within Autoimmune