ANA (Antinuclear Antibody)
What This Test Measures
Screen for autoimmune diseases
Conventional vs. Functional Optimal Range
The gap between these ranges is why you feel terrible with "normal" labs. Conventional medicine waits for disease. Functional medicine optimizes for health.
Gabriel's Take
ANA is a screening test for autoimmune disease. Positive ANA (especially >1:160) warrants further workup. Low-positive titers (1:40-1:80) can be false positives. High titers + symptoms = likely autoimmune disease. Gabriel checks ANA in unexplained inflammation, fatigue, joint pain.
When This Test Is High
Autoimmune disease: lupus, scleroderma, Sjögren's, etc.
When This Test Is Low
Normal; no autoimmunity detected
Related Conditions
Lupus, Sjögren's, scleroderma, mixed connective tissue disease
Recommended Follow-Up
If positive, check specific antibodies (dsDNA, anti-Sm, etc.); rheumatology referral
Related Tests in Inflammation / Immune
C-Reactive Protein (CRP) / hs-CRP
Inflammatory marker; predictor of cardiovascular disease
hs-CRP (High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein)
Sensitive inflammatory marker; cardiovascular risk predictor
ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate)
Non-specific inflammation marker