Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA) Screen, Reflex ANA IFA dsDNA Antibodies

Reference range:

Negative ( Indeterminate (5-9IU/mL) Positive (>or=10)

Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA) are a group of autoantibodies that target substances found in the nucleus of a cell. The ANA screen is a preliminary test used to detect the presence of these antibodies in the blood, which may indicate the presence of an autoimmune disorder. When an ANA screen yields a positive or indeterminate result, a Reflex ANA IFA (Indirect Fluorescent Antibody) test may be performed for a more detailed analysis. This test can identify specific patterns of fluorescence that correlate with various types of autoimmune diseases.

Additionally, the detection of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) antibodies, through a reflex test, is especially significant as these are highly specific for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a chronic autoimmune disease. The presence of dsDNA antibodies can be indicative of the disease activity and severity.

Therefore, the combination of these tests aids clinicians in diagnosing, monitoring, and managing autoimmune conditions, although the results are always considered in the broader context of clinical symptoms and other diagnostic findings.

What does it mean if your result is Negative (
A negative result for Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA) Screen and Reflex ANA IFA dsDNA Antibodies generally indicates that there is no detectable presence of these autoantibodies in your blood at the time of testing. This can mean several things: No Autoimmune Disease: It is possible that you do not have an autoimmune disease, as ANA and dsDNA are often positive in conditions like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and other systemic autoimmune disorders. Early in Disease Progression: If you are early in the course of an autoimmune disease, your body may not have produced a detectable level of ANA yet. It is not uncommon for ANA to become positive later in the disease process. Low Disease Activity: Some individuals with an autoimmune disease may have a negative ANA test if their disease is not currently active. Test Sensitivity and Specificity: No test is perfect; there could be cases where the ANA test fails to detect antibodies present at low levels, or where certain types of antibodies are not detected by the specific assays used. Clinical Context is Key: A negative ANA test does not rule out the possibility of an autoimmune disease. Diagnosis is typically based on a combination of clinical symptoms, physical examination, and a variety of laboratory and imaging tests. If you have symptoms suggestive of an autoimmune disorder but have a negative ANA test, your doctor may consider retesting at a later date, performing other autoimmune-related tests, or continuing to monitor your health for the development of any new symptoms.

What does it mean if your result is Indeterminate (5-9IU/mL)?

An indeterminate result for an Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA) screen can suggest several things. ANA tests are used to screen for autoimmune disorders, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and others. An indeterminate result means that the test did not clearly show whether the ANA antibodies are present or not in your blood. Here's what you might consider if you have an indeterminate ANA test result: Repeat the Test: Sometimes, a repeat test can yield a more definitive result. Laboratory errors or variations can sometimes cause indeterminate results. Further Testing: Your healthcare provider might recommend more specific tests depending on your symptoms and medical history. The reflex ANA IFA is a more specific test that can provide additional information, and dsDNA antibodies are particularly associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Clinical Evaluation: An indeterminate result often means that your doctor will rely more on clinical evaluation—your symptoms and clinical history—rather than just the test results. Monitoring: In some cases, your doctor may suggest monitoring your health over time to see if symptoms develop or change, which can help in making a diagnosis. Consult a Specialist: A rheumatologist, who specializes in autoimmune diseases, may be able to provide a more in-depth evaluation and management plan. Remember that an ANA test is only one part of the puzzle in diagnosing autoimmune diseases. Your healthcare provider will consider the big picture, including this test result, other lab results, and your symptoms, to make an accurate diagnosis. It's important to follow up with your healthcare provider to understand what this result means for you specifically.

What does it mean if your result is Positive (>or=10)?

A positive result for Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA) indicates that your immune system is producing antibodies against components of your own cells' nuclei. This can be associated with various autoimmune disorders. When an ANA test is positive, a Reflex ANA IFA is often performed to determine the specific pattern and titer of the antibodies, which can provide clues about the type of autoimmune disease present. If the dsDNA (double-stranded DNA) antibodies are also positive, this is particularly significant because these antibodies are strongly associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a specific type of autoimmune disease. The presence of dsDNA antibodies can suggest a higher likelihood of SLE, and their levels can correlate with disease activity. Having a positive ANA and dsDNA antibody test result would likely lead to a careful review of your symptoms, a thorough physical examination, and possibly further diagnostic testing. Depending on these findings, your healthcare provider may diagnose an autoimmune condition and discuss treatment options with you. It is essential to have a comprehensive evaluation and ongoing monitoring, as these conditions can vary greatly in their presentation and severity.

Frequently asked questions

Healthmatters is a highly-personalized health dashboard.

Instead of searching for your lab results in different places or tracking them down from different providers, Healthmatters houses, organizes, and interprets them all in one central location.

With a Healthmatters account, you can dive into the details of each biomarker and gain insights into the meaning behind your medical test data, anytime, anywhere.

For our professional users, Healthmatters provides intuitive tools that not only streamline analysis but also save valuable time when delving into your client's lab report history.

Healthmatters.io personal account provides in-depth research on 4000+ biomarkers, including information and suggestions for test panels such as, but not limited to:

  • The GI Effects® Comprehensive Stool Profile,
  • GI-MAP,
  • The NutrEval FMV®,
  • The ION Profile,
  • Amino Acids Profile,
  • Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones (DUTCH),
  • Organic Acids Test,
  • Organix Comprehensive Profile,
  • Toxic Metals,
  • Complete Blood Count (CBC),
  • Metabolic panel,
  • Thyroid panel,
  • Lipid Panel,
  • Urinalysis,
  • And many, many more.

You can combine all test reports inside your Healthmatters account and keep them in one place. It gives you an excellent overview of all your health data. Once you retest, you can add new results and compare them.

If you are still determining whether Healthmatters support your lab results, the rule is that if you can test it, you can upload it to Healthmatters.

While we work with many popular labs, we welcome reports from lots of other places too.

It's as simple as this: if you can get a test done, you can upload it to Healthmatters and we can interpret results from any lab out there. If laboratories can analyze it, we can interpret it.

If you’re on the hunt for a specific biomarker, contact us and we'll add it to our database. Anything from blood, urine, saliva, or stool can be uploaded, understood, and tracked with your Healthmatters account.

There are two ways to add your test reports to your Healthmatters account. One option is to input the data using the data entry forms. The other method is to utilize our "Data entry service."

Our data entry forms offer an easy, fast, and free way for you to input the reports yourself. Self-entry allows you to add an unlimited number of reports at no cost. We make the self-entry process user-friendly, providing dozens of templates that pre-populate the most popular laboratory panels and offering instant feedback on entered values.

For those who prefer assistance, we offer a "Data entry service" to help you input your data. Simply attach an image or file of your lab test results, and a qualified team member from our data entry team will add the results for you.

We support various file types, including PDFs, JPGs, or Excel. This service is particularly useful if you have many reports to upload or if you're too busy to handle the data entry yourself.

Our special data entry service makes it easy to add your results to your private dashboard. Just attach an image or a file of your lab test results, and our skilled data entry team will do the work for you. It's all done by humans, ensuring that your data is entered accurately and with personal care for each client.

Depending on your account, the data entry service can be included for free or come at an additional cost of $15 per report.

For users on the Complete monthly plan, the first report is entered free of charge, and each additional report incurs a fee of $15.

Unlimited account holders enjoy the entry of ten reports without charge. Subsequent reports are subject to a $15 fee per report.

Additionally, users on the Complete plan can upgrade to a yearly subscription from the account settings. The annual subscription includes a data entry service for five reports.

The Unlimited plan is a one-time purchase for $250, and it covers your account for a lifetime with no additional payments.

For the Complete plan, the cost is $15 per month. You have the flexibility to cancel it anytime through your account settings, ensuring no further payments. To avoid charges, remember to cancel at least a day before the renewal date. Once canceled, the subscription remains active until the end of the current billing cycle.

Additionally, you can upgrade to the yearly Advanced plan from within your account. The annual cost is $79, and it comes with a data entry service for five reports.

You can always upgrade to a lifetime version with a prorated price from a monthly or yearly subscription.

Simply log in and navigate to your account settings to cancel your subscription. Scroll down to locate the 'Cancel' button at the bottom of the page. Ensure you cancel at least one day before the renewal date to prevent any charges. Once cancellation is requested, the subscription remains active until the conclusion of the current billing cycle.

Our goal has been to make your Healthmatters account as intuitive as possible.

We’ve crafted multiple ways for you to navigate your data, whether you're glancing at a single report or delving into your historical test reports.

1. Graph View:

Dive into a visual journey with our biomarker graphs, showcasing over 40 data points. Combining years of results unveils trends, empowering you to make informed decisions. Our visualization tools make it a breeze to compare and understand changes over time, even if your results are from different labs. A search function and filters simplify the exploration of extensive data, allowing you to focus on what needs attention.

2. All Tests View

Explore neatly organized reports on a timeline, highlighting crucial details like dates, critical results, and lab/panel names. Each report opens up to reveal in-depth descriptions and additional recommendations for each biomarker. The history of previous results is just a click away, and you can download a comprehensive report for deeper insights. Color-coded and user-friendly, it's designed for easy reading, understanding, and navigation.

3. Table View:

For a holistic view of all biomarkers side by side, our table view is your go-to. Results are neatly displayed in a categorized and dated table, ideal for those with an extensive test history. Utilize sorting, filters, and color-coding to enhance your analysis and gain extra insights.

Yes, you can download information from your account. We can compile your labs into a CSV file. To download all your labs, you can go to Account Settings, and at the bottom of the page, you will find a link to download your information.

Yes, you can print your report. To do so, navigate to "All tests" and open the report you wish to print. You'll find a print button in the right corner of the report. Click on it, and your browser's print window will open. If you prefer to print in a bigger typeface, adjust the scale using the print window settings.

Yes, you can! We highly recommend activating Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for your account. To do so, please navigate to the "Profile and Security" section of your account, where you will find instructions for activating 2FA.

Yes, you can. When entering values for the biomarker, you will see an "Edit Range" button. Click this button, and you'll have the option to enter a custom range.

A personal account is all about keeping your own lab test results in check. It's just for you and your personal use.

The professional account is designed for health professionals who wish to track and organize their clients' laboratory results.

Yes, you can! Simply go to the "Invite Doctor" section, enter your doctor’s email address, and send the invitation. Your doctor will receive an email with secure access to view your results. You can revoke this access at any time. All shared information is securely encrypted and protected for your privacy.
Yes, you can! Go to the Graph view or Spreadsheet view. In the top-right corner, click "Export to Excel," and the file will be downloaded to your device.

Use promo code to save 10% off any plan.


We implement proven measures to keep your data safe.

At HealthMatters, we're committed to maintaining the security and confidentiality of your personal information. We've put industry-leading security standards in place to help protect against the loss, misuse, or alteration of the information under our control. We use procedural, physical, and electronic security methods designed to prevent unauthorized people from getting access to this information. Our internal code of conduct adds additional privacy protection. All data is backed up multiple times a day and encrypted using SSL certificates. See our Privacy Policy for more details.