Lupus

Overview
Tests
Treatment
Sources

Tests
Diagnosis is made by the clinical evaluation of physical signs and symptoms and from x-rays. The following laboratory tests are also useful in the diagnosis of SLE:

Autoantibody testing, such as:
Anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) – is positive in almost all patients with SLE
Anti-Sm antibody – usually seen only in patients with SLE
Anti-double stranded DNA – high results are characteristic of active SLE
Anti-SSA and Anti-SSB – may also be positive
Urinalysis – may show blood, casts, or protein
Complete blood count (CBC) – decrease in some cell types, including platelets
Rheumatoid factor (RF) – may be positive or negative
Serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) – increased gamma globulin proteins
Sed rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein – increased with inflammation
Cryoglobulin – frequnetly positive; cryoglobulins are abnormal proteins in the blood that will precipitate when the body temperature drops below normal, causing blockage of the blood vessels. The test involves collecting blood and cooling it in the laboratory, then checking for the presence of the precipitate.
Complement 3 (C-3) – often decreased; C-3 is one of nine major complement proteins associated with some diseases. Decreased amounts may be associated with lupus, gram-negative septicemia, and shock, as well as malaria.