What does a high ANA titer mean in lupus patients?
A high ANA titer means you have more antinuclear antibodies in your blood. The titer measures how strongly these antibodies show up in your test results.
Higher titers may be more likely linked to lupus and can give your doctor stronger clues about your condition. However Show Full Answer
What does a high ANA titer mean in lupus patients?
A high ANA titer means you have more antinuclear antibodies in your blood. The titer measures how strongly these antibodies show up in your test results.
Higher titers may be more likely linked to lupus and can give your doctor stronger clues about your condition. However, the titer alone doesn't tell the whole story.
Your doctor will look at your ANA titer alongside:
* Your symptoms
* Other blood test results
* Physical examination findings
* Your medical history
It's important to remember that about 15 percent of healthy people can have a positive ANA test, and only 11 to 13 percent of people who test positive for ANA actually have lupus. This is why additional testing is needed to confirm a diagnosis.
Your ANA results may also change over time due to disease activity, treatment, or if you have overlapping autoimmune conditions. The pattern of antibodies seen under the microscope can provide additional information to help guide your treatment.
March 9