What Does a Positive Ana Indicate

In most cases, a positive ANA test indicates that your immune system has launched a misdirected attack on your own tissue — in other words, an autoimmune reaction. But some people have positive ANA tests even when they’re healthy.

What diseases cause a positive ANA?

• Systemic lupus erythematosus.
• Sjögren’s syndrome — a disease that causes dry eyes and mouth.
• Scleroderma — a connective tissue disease.
• Rheumatoid arthritis — this causes joint damage, pain, and swelling.
• Polymyositis — a disease that causes muscle weakness.

Can you have positive ANA without having lupus?

One source cites that some ten million Americans have a positive ANA, but fewer than 1 million of them have lupus. Therefore, a positive ANA test alone is never enough to diagnosis systemic lupus. Rather, a physician will order an ANA test if the patient first exhibits other signs of lupus.