Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA): What Affects The Test
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What Affects the Test
Reasons you may not be able to have the test or why the results may not be helpful include:
- Taking medicine. Many medicines can change the results of this test. Be sure to tell your doctor about all the nonprescription and prescription medicines you take.
- Aging. Some older adults (5% to 40%) may have mildly elevated levels. These people do not have lupus.
- A virus. Viral illness can cause an ANA to be positive, and later turn back to normal.
| Last updated: | June 12, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH |
| Reviewed By: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Stanford M. Shoor, MD - Rheumatology |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer |
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