Autoimmunity & Autoimmune Disease Blood Tests & Checks

Autoimmune symptoms don’t always fit neatly into one box. Our collection of autoimmune blood tests assess key antibodies relating to immune function and autoimmune conditions. 

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Coeliac Blood Test

Worried that gluten might be affecting your health? If you’ve been experiencing symptoms like bloating, fatigue, or unexplained weight loss, our Coeliac Blood Test can help identify whether coeliac disease could be a concern

  • Results estimated in 2 working days
  • 2 biomarkers
£169.00
Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA) Blood Test

Our ANA blood test helps detect antibodies that may indicate autoimmune activity in the body

  • Results estimated in 4 working days
  • 1 biomarkers
£99.00
Extractable Nuclear Antibodies (ENA) Blood Test

This test is used to detect autoantibodies that are commonly found in people with autoimmune diseases, such as lupus or Sjögren’s syndrome

  • Results estimated in 5 working days
  • 8 biomarkers
£89.00
Autoantibodies Profile 1 Blood Test

This test checks for specific antibodies linked to autoimmune conditions, offering valuable insights into your immune system’s activity

  • Results estimated in 5 working days
  • 6 biomarkers
£199.00
Intrinsic Factor Antibodies Blood Test

If you're experiencing symptoms like fatigue, dizziness, or unexplained anaemia, this test checks for intrinsic factor antibodies, which are linked to autoimmune gastritis and pernicious anaemia

  • Results estimated in 5 working days
  • 1 biomarkers
£100.00
Islet Cell Antibodies Blood Test

Islet autoantibodies can usually show up in your blood before and close to a type 1 diabetes diagnosis

  • Results estimated in 5 working days
  • 1 biomarkers
£89.00
Smooth Muscle Antibodies Blood Test

Concerned about autoimmune liver disease? This test detects smooth muscle antibodies (SMA), which can indicate autoimmune hepatitis, a condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks the liver, helping to differentiate symptoms from other liver conditions

  • Results estimated in 5 working days
  • 1 biomarkers
£89.00
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“Some conditions are more uncommon than others and might be challenging to diagnose. When all “first-line checks” have been done by your GP, autoimmunity blood tests may be useful.”

Dr Susanna Hayter, Digital Clinician, Medichecks

Which autoimmune blood test should I choose?

The best test depends on your symptoms, existing results, and the type of autoimmune condition being investigated. 

  • I have unexplained joint pain, fatigue, rashes, or dry eyes: The Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA) Blood Test is a useful initial test for antinuclear antibodies associated with connective tissue autoimmune conditions, including lupus and Sjögren’s syndrome.  
  • My symptoms could involve more than one body system: The Autoantibodies Profile 1 Blood Test provides a broader panel covering autoantibodies associated with connective tissue, thyroid, liver, and gastric autoimmune conditions. It may help guide further investigation when symptoms or previous results don’t point clearly towards one area. 
  • I have ongoing digestive symptoms after eating gluten: The Coeliac Blood Test measures tissue transglutaminase IgA antibodies and total IgA.  
Could your symptoms be linked to autoimmunity?

Autoimmune diseases can affect different organs and body systems, so symptoms vary widely. They may also come and go and often overlap with more common conditions. 

Testing may be worth discussing with a healthcare professional if you have: 

  • Persistent joint pain, swelling, or stiffness 
  • Unexplained fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest 
  • Recurring rashes or sensitivity to sunlight 
  • Dry eyes or a persistently dry mouth 
  • Ongoing bloating, diarrhoea, abdominal discomfort, or unexplained weight loss 
  • Vitamin B12 deficiency, anaemia, dizziness, or neurological symptoms without a clear cause 
  • Abnormal liver blood test results 
  • A recent diabetes diagnosis where the type is uncertain 
  • A family or personal history of autoimmune disease alongside relevant symptoms. 

These symptoms don’t necessarily mean you have an autoimmune condition. Fatigue, digestive changes, joint pain, and skin symptoms are common and can have many possible explanations, so choosing a targeted test is usually more useful than ordering a broad autoimmune screen without a clear clinical reason.

FAQs

What blood test checks for autoimmune condition?

There are a variety of different blood tests that check for different autoimmune conditions. An Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA) Blood Test may be used as an initial investigation for connective tissue autoimmune conditions, while more targeted tests look for antibodies associated with coeliac disease, pernicious anaemia, type 1 diabetes, or autoimmune hepatitis.

Can a blood test diagnose an autoimmune condition?

An autoimmune blood test can provide evidence that supports a diagnosis, but it usually can’t diagnose an autoimmune condition by itself. Results need to be interpreted alongside your symptoms, medical history, physical examination, and other investigations.

Does a positive ANA result mean I have lupus?

A positive ANA result doesn’t confirm lupus. ANA can occur with several autoimmune conditions, some infections, certain medicines, and sometimes in otherwise healthy people. Further testing and clinical assessment are needed to understand its significance.

Can you have an autoimmune condition with a negative ANA result?

Not all autoimmune conditions cause a positive ANA result, and different conditions are investigated using different antibodies. A negative ANA may make some connective tissue conditions less likely, but it doesn’t rule out every autoimmune issue.

What’s the difference between an ANA and an ENA blood test?

An ANA test provides a broad screen for antinuclear antibodies. The Extractable Nuclear Antibodies (ENA) Blood Test looks for a group of more specific autoantibodies that can help guide investigation towards conditions such as lupus, Sjögren’s syndrome, systemic sclerosis, and mixed connective tissue disease.

Is there a blood test for lupus?

There’s no single blood test that can diagnose lupus. ANA testing is commonly used as part of the investigation, while ENA and other specialist tests may provide further information. A diagnosis also depends on symptoms, examination findings, and other laboratory results.

Can autoimmune disease cause fatigue?

Fatigue can occur with many autoimmune conditions. However, it’s also common with iron or vitamin deficiencies, thyroid disorders, poor sleep, infections, and stress. Fatigue alone isn’t enough to identify an autoimmune disease.

What blood test checks for coeliac disease?

The Coeliac Blood Test measures tissue transglutaminase IgA antibodies and total IgA. These are used as initial blood markers when investigating coeliac disease, but an abnormal result may need further specialist assessment.

What are islet cell antibodies?

Islet cell antibodies are associated with an immune response against insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The Islet Cell Antibodies Blood Test may help support the investigation of autoimmune type 1 diabetes, particularly when someone has recently been diagnosed, and the diabetes type is uncertain.

Can autoimmune diseases run in families?

Some autoimmune conditions are more common in people with a family history, although inheriting a susceptibility doesn’t mean you’ll necessarily develop the same condition. Symptoms, examination findings, and appropriate testing remain important.

What happens if my autoimmune blood test is positive? 

A positive result may indicate that further investigation is appropriate, but it doesn’t always mean you have an autoimmune disease. Share the result with your GP or specialist if you have ongoing symptoms, abnormal results in other areas, or a strongly positive antibody result.