What Is ANA-Negative Lupus?

Last Editorial Review: 1/11/2018

Ask the experts

I have had 90% of the symptoms that go along with lupus. Please let me know when someone is ANA negative, but still has lupus. My ANA tests were 1:40 and 1:60.  I've been tested for a few antibodies, and so far nothing shows positive. How can someone have lupus and be negative ANA?

Doctor's response

When a person satisfies the criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus), but has a negative ANA, the condition is referred to as ANA-negative systemic lupus erythematosus. ANAs are negative in approximately 5% of patients with lupus. In these patients, frequently there are other antibody markers of lupus present, such as cardiolipin antibody, anti-smith antibody, DNA antibodies, and SS-A and SS-B antibodies.

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