Home TestAnti Ss B La Antibody Test

Anti-SS-B/La (Antibody Serum Soluble Substance-B Antibody) Test: Booking, Price, and Results

About Anti-SS-B/La (Antibody Serum Soluble Substance-B Antibody) Test: Booking, Price, and Results

Field	Value
Also Known As	Anti-La Antibody, Anti-SS-B, SS-B/La Antibody, Sjögren's Antibody B, SSB IgG Antibody, La Antibody
Sample Type	Serum (venous blood)
Fasting Required	No fasting required
Report Time	3 Days
Recommended For	Adults of all genders, particularly those with suspected autoimmune disorders; pregnant women with known autoimmune disease
Price	Starting at ₹1,200

What is an Anti-SS-B/La (Antibody Serum Soluble Substance-B Antibody) Test?

The Anti-SS-B/La test is a blood test that checks for specific immune proteins called autoantibodies. These autoantibodies target a protein found inside cells known as the SS-B (La) antigen. Doctors typically order this test when a patient shows signs of autoimmune conditions such as Sjögren's syndrome or lupus. A small blood sample is drawn from a vein, and the serum is sent to a laboratory for analysis using the EIA (enzyme immunoassay) method.

What Does an Anti-SS-B/La (Antibody Serum Soluble Substance-B Antibody) Test Measure?

This test detects the presence and level of Anti-SS-B/La IgG antibodies in the blood. The table below explains the key components measured.

Component	What it is	Why it Matters
Anti-SS-B/La IgG Antibodies	Immune proteins that mistakenly attack the body's own SS-B (La) protein	Elevated levels are associated with Sjögren's syndrome, lupus, and other autoimmune conditions
SS-B/La Protein	A protein found in the cell nucleus and cytoplasm that helps protect and fold newly formed RNA molecules	When the immune system produces antibodies against this protein, it signals an autoimmune response

Why is an Anti-SS-B/La (Antibody Serum Soluble Substance-B Antibody) Test Done?

Doctors order the Anti-SS-B/La test to investigate autoimmune activity, particularly when a patient presents with symptoms pointing to connective tissue disease. The sections below outline the most common reasons this test is requested.

Common Symptoms That May Require This Test

The following symptoms may prompt a doctor to request this test:

Dry eyes with a burning, itching, or gritty sensation
Dry mouth causing difficulty swallowing, speaking, or tasting
Joint pain and stiffness
Persistent fatigue
Skin rashes
Sensitivity to light
Swelling in the hands and feet

Conditions This Test Can Help Detect

This test can help identify a range of autoimmune and connective tissue conditions, including:

Sjögren's syndrome (Anti-SS-B/La antibodies are found in 50% to 60% of patients)
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), found in 10% to 15% of lupus patients
Primary or secondary connective tissue diseases
Progressive systemic sclerosis (scleroderma)
Neonatal lupus erythematosus in newborns of affected mothers

Anti-SS-B/La (Antibody Serum Soluble Substance-B Antibody) Test During Pregnancy

Pregnant women with known autoimmune disease, such as lupus or Sjögren's syndrome, may be tested for Anti-SS-B/La antibodies. These antibodies can cross the placenta and affect the baby, with approximately 2% of at-risk pregnancies resulting in neonatal lupus erythematosus. The most serious foetal complication is congenital heart block, which occurs in around 2% of newborns whose mothers carry these antibodies. Women who test positive typically require closer foetal monitoring throughout pregnancy.

How to Prepare and What to Expect

Preparing for the Anti-SS-B/La test is straightforward. There are no major restrictions, but a few simple steps will help the process go smoothly.

Do You Need to Fast?

No, fasting is not required for this test. You can eat and drink normally before your appointment. If your doctor has ordered additional tests alongside this one, check whether any of those require fasting.

Practical Tips Before Your Test

Keep the following points in mind before your sample collection:

Bring a detailed clinical history, including your symptoms, previous test results, and any relevant medical records, as this is required for the test
Stay well-hydrated, as this makes the blood draw easier
Inform the healthcare professional about any medications you are taking, especially immunosuppressants
Wear comfortable clothing with sleeves that can be rolled up easily
Let the phlebotomist know if you have a fear of needles so they can assist you

Step-by-Step Procedure

Here is what to expect during the sample collection:

A healthcare professional will clean the skin on your inner arm with an antiseptic solution and place a tourniquet around your upper arm to make the veins more visible.
A sterile needle is gently inserted into a vein, usually in the arm, to collect a small blood sample.
A small amount of blood is drawn into a yellow-top gel tube. You may feel a brief sting when the needle is inserted or removed.
Once the required amount is collected, the needle is removed, and a bandage is applied to the puncture site.
The blood sample is handled carefully to separate the serum from blood cells, ideally within two hours of collection.
The serum sample is stored under refrigerated conditions and sent to the laboratory for analysis.

Factors That Can Affect Accuracy

Several factors can influence your test result. These include:

Delay in serum separation after blood collection
Use of immunosuppressant medications, which can lower antibody levels
Concurrent infections at the time of testing
Improper sample storage or transport temperature
Dehydration, which may affect the quality of the blood draw

Understanding Your Anti-SS-B/La (Antibody Serum Soluble Substance-B Antibody) Test Results

Your results should always be reviewed with a doctor who can consider your full clinical picture. The table below provides a general reference range for this test.

Parameter	Result Category	Value	Unit
Anti-SS-B/La IgG	Negative (Normal)	Less than 7	Units/mL
Anti-SS-B/La IgG	Positive (Elevated)	7 or above	Units/mL

These ranges are general guidelines. Your doctor will interpret your results based on your age, health history, and other factors. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised medical advice.

Results During Special Conditions

Certain clinical situations can affect how your results are interpreted:

Anti-SS-B/La antibodies are almost always detected alongside Anti-SS-A/Ro antibodies. When both are present, this strengthens the likelihood of a Sjögren's syndrome diagnosis.
Isolated Anti-SS-B/La antibodies without Anti-SS-A/Ro are extremely rare and carry a low positive predictive value on their own.
Anti-La antibodies are also more typical of primary Sjögren's syndrome and are rarely seen in secondary forms associated with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.

How to Maintain Healthy Levels

The following general wellness practices support overall immune and joint health:

Keep regular follow-up appointments with a rheumatologist if you have autoimmune symptoms or a positive result
Stay well-hydrated and use moisture replacement products if you experience dryness of the eyes or mouth
Inform your doctor promptly if you are planning a pregnancy, as elevated antibody levels carry specific risks for the baby

Lupin Diagnostics Anti-SS-B/La (Antibody Serum Soluble Substance-B Antibody) Test Price and Home Collection

The Anti-SS-B/La test is available at Lupin Diagnostics starting at ₹1,200, with home sample collection offered across cities in India. The table below shows approximate prices in key cities based on aggregator data.

City	Approximate Price (₹)
BHOPAL	1200
CHENNAI	1200
HYDERABAD	1200
KOLKATA	1200
NAVI MUMBAI	1200
PUNE	1200

Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.

How to Book

Booking your Anti-SS-B/La test online with Lupin Diagnostics is simple:

Select the test on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
Choose your city and preferred time slot.
Opt for home sample collection by a certified phlebotomist, or visit your nearest Lupin Diagnostics centre.
Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within the stipulated turnaround time.

Home Collection

The Anti-SS-B/La test home collection service is available across major cities in India. All samples are processed in NABL-accredited laboratories by trained professionals. Once your report is ready, you can access it digitally via email or WhatsApp, with no need to visit a centre for your results.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Anti-SS-B/La test is used to evaluate patients with suspected connective tissue disease. It is particularly useful for those who have already tested positive for antinuclear antibodies (ANA) or who show symptoms of lupus or Sjögren's syndrome. Results are always interpreted alongside clinical findings and other blood tests.

No fasting is needed. You can eat and drink as normal before your sample is collected. If you are having other tests done at the same time, check with your doctor whether any of those require fasting.

A positive result indicates that Anti-SS-B/La antibodies are present in your blood, which may support a diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome, lupus, or another connective tissue disease. A positive result alone is not sufficient for diagnosis. Your doctor will consider it alongside your symptoms, clinical history, and other test results before drawing any conclusions.

Yes. Women with autoimmune conditions who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy may be asked to take this test. Anti-SS-B/La antibodies can cross the placenta and increase the risk of neonatal lupus or congenital heart block in the baby. A positive result generally means closer foetal monitoring is required throughout the pregnancy.

No, they are two separate tests that detect different antibodies. However, they are often ordered together because both are associated with overlapping conditions such as Sjögren's syndrome and lupus. Anti-SS-B/La antibodies are typically present alongside Anti-SS-A/Ro antibodies rather than in isolation.

Your report is typically available within 3 days of sample collection. The Anti-SS-B/La test procedure involves separating serum from the blood sample and analysing it using EIA, which requires careful processing time.

No. A single test cannot confirm an autoimmune diagnosis on its own. Your doctor will use the Anti-SS-B/La test result together with your symptoms, physical examination findings, and other tests such as ANA, Anti-SS-A/Ro, Anti-dsDNA, ESR, or CRP to arrive at a diagnosis.