What is the first test to be considered for a patient suspected of having an autoimmune diesease?
Quest Diagnostics Test for Autoimmune Diseases https://www.questdiagnostics.com/.../MI5462_FAQs-Tests-for-Autoimmune-Diseases.... When evaluating a patient for autoimmune disease, an antinuclear antibody (ANA) test is typically performed first. The immunofluorescence assay (IFA) (test code 249) screens for approximately 150 autoantibodies, which can occur in various autoimmune diseases. The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) recommends IFA as the gold standard method for ANA testing.4 A negative ANA IFA result suggests ANA-associated autoimmune diseases are not present. A positive result suggests the presence of autoimmune disease, and reflexes to titer and pattern. A low ANA titer (1:40 to 1:80) is consistent with preclinical disease or lack of disease. Titers >1:80 are consistent with autoimmune disease. In these cases, the staining pattern helps predict the disease type; however, specific antibody testing can be considered useful if clinically indicated.