Lupus is an autoimmune disorder. This means that the body’s own immune system begin to attack the body’s healthy cells. The symptoms of the disease can take any form, which makes diagnosing it even more difficult. There are 11 major symptoms for the disease, and usually only about 4 are needed in a person to confirm the presence of lupus.
The most common method is a blood test for lupus diagnosis. Any blood work for lupus will throw up an abnormal antibody count, which is one of the surest signs of lupus. The lab tests for lupus generally consist of the ANA blood test. The ANA (antinuclear antibodies) blood test will show up any abnormal antibodies count, but this one test is not considered final because the same positive results can be given for a wide range of other disorders such as thyroid disease, arthritis, etc. When lupus is suspected, follow up lupus antibody tests called the confirmatory antibodies for lupus tests are usually done. These tests identify specific DNA, which is present only in people who have lupus.
Another simple test is a urinalysis. An analysis of the urine generally shows up any abnormal antibodies count and further testing can be recommended if tests come up positive.
Biopsies are also done, but not very commonly. This is because it is an invasive procedure, especially a kidney biopsy where an operation is done to remove tissue from the kidney to be analyzed for lupus.
Skin biopsies are also done sometimes, and the choice of what biopsy to do depends on your consulting physician.
When do I consult a doctor?
One of the major misconceptions about lupus is about the “butterfly rash” that appears on the face. While this rash is quite common in people with lupus, it is by no means a conclusive symptom. In fact, there is one variety of lupus called discoid lupus that only causes a rash and is not otherwise harmful. There is no certainty that people with discoid lupus will develop systemic lupus at a later date. Alternatively, you could show symptoms such as swollen joints and fatigue, and you could very well have lupus even though you do not have a “butterfly” rash on your face.
Below we give you a list of symptoms for lupus, and it is recommended that you check with a doctor if you have any doubts in your mind.
There are a number of other symptoms too that can occur, depending on the specific part of the body that is affected, but these symptoms are too numerous to list. The above mentioned symptoms are usually the most common ones, and if you feel that you have four or more of these, it is time to visit your doctor.
It is important to remember that each of these symptoms are not conclusive in themselves. For example, blood clots are not necessarily a symptom of lupus alone. Similarly, even when the antibody count is high on a lupus panel blood test, it is not necessarily a sign of lupus as there are a number of other reasons for a higher than normal antibody count.
Lupus is not always dangerous, and when diagnosed and treated early, it has a more than 95% survival rate. The older theory that lupus has genetic origins has now been disproved with more and more researchers pointing to environmental factors for the onset of lupus.
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