Laboratory Tests for Lupus

Saysusie · Posted: Fri May 03, 2002 8:23 pm Post subject: Laboratory Tests for Lupus

1. A complete medical history is taken
2. A complete physical examination
3. Laboratory tests:
* Complete blood count
* Erythrocyte sedimentation Rate (ESR) -
an elevated ESR indicates inflammation
in the body
* Complement levels - often low in
people with lupus, especially during a
flare-up.
* Antinuclear antibody test (ANA) --
positive in most lupus patients, but
a positive ANA test can have other
causes.
* Other autoantibody tests (anti-DNA,
anti-SM, anti-RNP, anti-RO(SSA),
anti-LA(SSB). One or more of these
tests may be positive in some people
with Lupus.
* Syphilis test - may be falsely positive
in people with Lupus.
4. Skin or Kidney biopsy.