Lupus Support Group

Can a primary care doc order up the ana testing and if not who normally does this ? I gotta get to the bottom of this. I also would like to hear what is an ana test ? What do they do to you while testing just draw blood maybe ? Lots of questions here.

Yes your gp can do an ANA test, many doctors use it as an indicator of something AI related. Just remember that having a negative ANA doesn't that you don't have lupus.

Alison

Yes, a general doctor can order these test. I am one of the few on here that has a negative ANA but I do have Lupus, my doctor looks at the whole picture and doesn't go by labs alone like some doctors do.

Eva

How do they do the ana test ? Is it just a blood draw ?

ANA test is a blood draw as most of these tests are.

Eva

Thanks Mumeva I was curious when they say nuclear im like what are they gonna put into me now.

Their are some tests that are done with nuclear dye...such as the Hida Scan and the CT scan.

Eva

Hi. I'm new to this site. I was diagnosed with Lupus in March 2010. I had negative ANA for years and was told that I did not have Lupus. I finally got to see a Rheumy and she also looked at the whole picture and said I did have Lupus even with negative ANA. After a year, the ANA test came up positive.

My primary care has tried to tell me she tested for lupus but after going thru all her medical records she has never run an ana test yet. My neurologist has decided I have an autoimune disease he cant pin point the exact one at this time.. My henatologist has found that I do have polycythemia vera so this might be some of the cause for the neuro issues. More to come later.

By the way how is an ana test performed ? Is it simple a blood draw ? Or do they insert the neuckear med in and then do a blood draw ?