autoantibody-testing
Reviewed
This test checks a sample of your blood for autoantibodies—proteins made by your immune system that mistakenly attack your own healthy tissues. It helps diagnose or monitor autoimmune diseases, but results alone are usually not enough to make a diagnosis.
Preparation and collection
No special preparation is needed.
Understanding this test
Use the reference interval and units printed by the laboratory that performed the test. A result outside that interval is not a diagnosis by itself, and a result inside it does not rule out every condition. Your symptoms, history, medicines, timing, and related tests can change what the result means.
- A negative result does not rule out an autoimmune disease.
- A positive result does not necessarily mean you have an autoimmune disease—some healthy people have autoantibodies.
- Results alone are usually not enough to make a diagnosis; your provider will also consider imaging, biopsy, symptoms, and family/health history.
What to do next
Talk to your provider about what your results mean for you. They may order additional tests or refer you to a specialist.