I Have Symptoms Of Lupus, But A Negative ANA Test. Can I Still Have ...

Skip to main contentClose

• Understanding LupusNext
• Support & ResourcesNext
• Advancing ResearchNext
• Get InvolvedNext
• About UsNext

• Get Local
• Resources
• News
• Events
• Search
• Recursos en español

DonateBecome an AdvocateBackWhat is lupus?Signs & SymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentImpact on Daily LifeBackSupport ServicesAsk a Health EducatorFind Support Near YouList of Financial Assistance ResourcesPrograms and ServicesResourcesAnyone with lupusCaregiversChildren & TeensHealth care professionalsNewly diagnosedFind resources. Get answers.Browse ResourcesBackOur WorkParticipate in ResearchFor ResearchersLupus Science & MedicineResearch NewsAdvocacy for ResearchRAY® Lupus RegistryBackGiveMake a Donation NowGive MonthlyGive In Memory or HonorIn Lieu of FlowersShop to End Lupus NowOther Ways to GiveBe a Corporate PartnerDonate Household GoodsFundraiseWalk to End Lupus NowStart a FundraiserLivestream to End LupusRace to End LupusVirtual 6 ChallengeAdvocateAdvocate with UsLegislative SuccessesNational Lupus Advocacy SummitConnectSpread AwarenessGet Local SupportJoin Our Support CommunityShareable ToolkitFind an EventSign Up for EmailsTell Your StoryHelp Solve the Cruel MysteryDonate NowBackLeadershipFinancialsCareersMedia RelationsContact UsAnnual ReportNational Ambassador Program

• In English
• En Español

• Home
• National Resource Center on Lupus
• Search Resources

I have symptoms of lupus, but a negative ANA test. Can I still have lupus?

A lupus diagnosis is based on clinical symptoms (past and present), a family history (the medical history of close family members such as your grandparents, parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins) and laboratory tests.

There is no single diagnostic test for systemic lupus. The test you will hear most about is called the antinuclear antibody (ANA) test. However, this is not a specific test for lupus. Most people with lupus will have a positive ANA test result. It is very rare, but it is possible to have a negative ANA test and still have lupus. In these instances, other antibodies are present.

Many different laboratory tests can be used to detect physical changes or conditions in your body that can occur with lupus. Each test result helps your doctor build a more complete picture of your illness. There are several important things to keep in mind when interpreting laboratory tests:

• No single laboratory test can determine whether a person has lupus.
• Test results that suggest lupus can be due to other illnesses, or can even be seen in healthy people.
• A test result may be positive one time and negative the next.
• Different laboratories may produce different test results.

The most common types of tests you may be asked to get are blood and urine tests. It is important to understand these common laboratory tests for lupus so you can feel confident as you work with your doctor to better understand your health.

Another option is the AVISE test, which is a blood test that can help doctors diagnose lupus and other autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s syndrome, or scleroderma. The test may be helpful for people who have a positive antinuclear antibodies (ANA) test, or anyone concerned they may have lupus or a similar autoimmune condition. Generally speaking, rheumatologists have not yet adopted this test as a standard. While it is helpful in reaching a diagnosis it is still not a recognized single diagnostic test and other factors such as symptoms and other diagnosis considerations should be taken into account.

The Lupus Foundation of America and our health education specialists have answered some of your most common questions. The provided answers are for educational and information purposes only. Consult with your doctor/health care team for medical advice.

Answers from our health educators Can I take the COVID-19 booster and flu shots at the same time? I have lupus and I take immunosuppressants.How do I know if I have subacute cutaneous lupus or discoid lupus? What is the difference?Can wearing a face mask cause lupus skin lesions?See all of our answers Do you have a question about lupus?

Our health education specialists are specially trained to provide people affected by lupus with non-medical support, disease education, information, and helpful resources. You have lupus, but you are not alone.

Ask a health educatorWas this resource helpful?Was this resource helpful?YesNoYesNo Sending...Tags:Answers from our health educators, I have lupus, I might have lupusLast updated: April 17, 2022ShareShare on FacebookShare on TwitterShare via EmailPrintGet lupus resources and updates. Subscribe to our emails.Sign UpCloseChoose a chapter

There are multiple chapters near you. Select your preferred chapter.

Lupus Foundation of AmericaArizona

Supporting lupus patients and advocates in Arizona.

CaliforniaDC/Maryland/Virginia

Serving the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Northern Virginia.

GeorgiaGreater OhioHeartland

Serving Kansas, Missouri, and Central & Southern Illinois

Lone Star

Serving north, central and west Texas, including Dallas/Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin, El Paso, Lubbock, and surrounding areas

Midwest

Serving Northern Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, and Minnesota

Northeast

Serving Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, northern and central New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont

Pacific NorthwestPennsylvania Delaware Valley

Serving Pennsylvania, Delaware and Southern New Jersey

SoutheastTexas Gulf Coast

Serving Houston, Beaumont, Corpus Christi, Harlingen and surrounding areas in Texas

WisconsinCloseFind a walk

There are multiple walks near you.

AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasLos AngelesOrange CountySan DiegoSan FranciscoColoradoNew HavenDelawareDC WalkOur walk in the nation's capital.North FloridaSouth FloridaCentral FloridaWest FloridaAtlantaColumbusAugustaMaconHawaiiIdahoChicagoGreater IllinoisIndianaIowaKansas CityKentuckyLouisianaMaineBaltimoreWashington, DCBostonMichiganMinnesotaMississippiSt. LouisKansas CityMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshirePhiladelphia Lupus LoopNorthern New JerseyNew MexicoNew York CityNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaClevelandColumbusOklahomaPortlandPhiladelphia Lupus LoopPittsburghPuerto RicoRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeAustinBeaumontCorpus ChristiDallasHoustonPrairie ViewSan AntonioSalt Lake CityVermontRichmondWashington, DCSeattleWest VirginiaMadisonMilwaukeeWyoming

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn more

Close