Autoimmune diseases are more common than you might think. About 50 million Americans have an autoimmune condition. Researchers have also identified more than 80 types that can affect almost every part of the body. Women are most affected, accounting for nearly 80% of cases.

So, what exactly are autoimmune diseases? They happen when your immune system mistakenly attacks your own tissues. This category includes well-known conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and autoimmune liver disease. Symptoms can vary from one disease to another, which can sometimes make diagnosis tricky.

That’s where autoimmune blood testing comes in. In this guide, we’ll explain autoimmune blood testing. You’ll learn what a typical test panel includes, when to consider testing, and how to understand the results.

How Autoimmune Blood Tests Work

Your immune system normally makes antibodies that protect you from infections. In autoimmune conditions, the body makes autoantibodies. These are antibodies that wrongly target normal cells or specific organs.

Autoimmune disease tests look for these markers in the bloodstream. Some tests check overall immune activity. Others focus on specific antibodies related to certain diseases.

Blood tests also measure inflammation and immune system activity. Markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) or erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) don’t point to a specific disease but indicate overall immune activation, often seen in autoimmune disorders. 

What is Tested for the Autoimmune Blood Panel?

When evaluating suspected autoimmune disease, doctors usually begin with broad screening markers. These tests don’t confirm a specific diagnosis on their own, but they help determine whether the immune system may be attacking the body.

Two of the most important first-line tests in an autoimmune blood test panel list are:

1. Antinuclear Antibody (ANA)

The ANA test looks for antibodies that target structures inside the nucleus of your cells. If the test returns positive, it suggests that the immune system may be reacting against your own tissues.

ANA is commonly associated with:

• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

• Sjögren’s syndrome

• Scleroderma

• Mixed connective tissue disease

• Other systemic autoimmune conditions

A positive ANA does not automatically mean you have an autoimmune disease. Some healthy individuals can have a low-positive result. That’s why ANA results must always be interpreted alongside symptoms and additional tests.

2. Rheumatoid Factor (RF)

Rheumatoid Factor is another key screening marker in an autoimmune disease test. It detects antibodies that target other antibodies in the body. High levels of RH are commonly seen in:

• Rheumatoid arthritis

• Sjögren’s syndrome

• Chronic inflammatory conditions

RF alone does not confirm rheumatoid arthritis. Some people with rheumatoid arthritis might show normal RF levels. Also, some healthy adults can test mildly positive. Clinicians often use RF along with other markers and symptom patterns. They do this before confirming a diagnosis.

Read more: ESR vs Rheumatoid Factor: Understanding Health Markers

Additional Antibody Tests If Screening Markers Are Positive

So, what happens next if ANA or RF is positive? Doctors may expand the panel with more specific antibody testing. These tests help identify which autoimmune condition may be present.

Below are common reflex or follow-up tests included in a comprehensive autoimmune blood test panel list:

Why This Step Matters?

These follow-up tests allow a broad autoimmune test to become more specific. Instead of stopping at a positive ANA result, targeted antibody testing helps identify which autoimmune disease may be present. A comprehensive autoimmune blood panel enables faster diagnosis, better monitoring, and more personalised treatment.

Who Should Take an Autoimmune Disease Test?

An autoimmune disease test is not something everyone needs routinely. It's usually advised when symptoms, family history, or other conditions suggest immune system issues.

You may consider an autoimmune test if you experience:

• Persistent, unexplained symptoms that last for weeks or months without a clear explanation

• Family history of autoimmune disease, like Rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Type 1 diabetes, Multiple sclerosis, or Celiac disease

• Existing autoimmune condition

• Unexplained abnormal lab results

• Women with hormonal or pregnancy-related concerns

When to Talk to Your Healthcare Provider?

Symptoms and medical history should always guide autoimmune testing. Testing without symptoms can lead to false positives and unnecessary anxiety.

If you think your immune system isn’t working right, talk to a qualified clinician. They can decide if you need an autoimmune test and which markers to include in your blood test panel.

At Mito Health, our comprehensive autoimmune disease screening follows a structured diagnostic pathway that begins with core markers and adds additional antibody tests only when clinically appropriate.

When Should You Get Tested?

Healthcare providers consider autoimmune blood testing when symptoms suggest the immune system may be attacking the body. Common red flags include:

• Persistent joint pain or swelling

• Rashes or skin changes

• Fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest

• Muscle weakness or numbness

• Unexplained fevers or organ-specific symptoms
  
  
  

Because symptoms overlap across many conditions, your clinician will pair test results with clinical evaluation and history before making a diagnosis. 

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is an autoimmune blood test panel?

An autoimmune blood test panel groups various tests. It includes antibody markers and inflammation tests. These tests check for immune system activity against your own tissues.

• How does the ANA test relate to autoimmune disease?

The ANA (antinuclear antibody) test screens for antibodies against cell nuclei. A positive result may indicate autoimmune activity, but doesn’t pinpoint a specific disease.

• Can one blood test diagnose all autoimmune diseases?

No, autoimmune diseases vary widely. Clinicians often need a mix of tests, symptoms, and evaluations to accurately diagnose them.

• Are autoimmune blood tests painful or risky?

These tests involve a simple blood draw. Most people experience mild discomfort at the puncture site. Serious complications are rare.

• How long do results take?

Most autoimmune blood tests return results within a few days to a week, depending on the panel and the lab's processing times.

Get Clear Answers With the Right Autoimmune Testing

Autoimmune diseases are complex. Symptoms can overlap, develop slowly, and affect multiple systems at once. Fatigue, joint pain, rashes, digestive issues, brain fog, or unexplained inflammation often leave people searching for answers for months and sometimes years.

The right autoimmune test can change that. If you have ongoing unexplained symptoms, a family history of autoimmune disease, or want to learn more about your immune health, try Mito Health’s Autoimmune Disease Test. We offer blood panels that start with key screening markers.

Sign up and explore Mito Health’s comprehensive autoimmune testing today!

Resources:

• https://orwh.od.nih.gov/OADR-ORWH

• https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/conditions/autoimmune

• https://www.msdmanuals.com/home/immune-disorders/allergic-reactions-and-other-hypersensitivity-disorders/autoimmune-disorders

• https://rheumatology.org/patients/antinuclear-antibodies-ana

• https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2022/06/understanding-autoimmune-diseases