Diagnosis and Tests
Patient-Reported Outcomes, Quality of Life, and Lupus
Many aspects of lupus can't be recorded with tests. Patient-reported outcomes help...
Understanding Lupus Lab Tests & Results
Lupus lab tests provide objective assessments of the goings on within the...
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) and Lupus
This simple blood test doesn’t require a machine – only an hour of waiting on the lab tech’s part. But it can reveal a lot about inflammation in your body, and can help you get closer to a lupus diagnosis. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate tests...
Renal Failure, Proteinuria, and Lupus Nephritis
Up to 1/3 of people with lupus will experience kidney involvement as inflammation damages the kidneys. The damage can be so severe the kidneys can no longer function, known as renal failure. The kidneys are responsible for filtering toxins and waste out of the blood. Damaged kidneys are...
Cenerimod: A Potential New Lupus Medication
Research is underway to measure the effectiveness of Cenerimod, a new lupus medication. Early evidence suggests it can help reduce symptoms and prevent flares. Cenerimod is a new medication being developed by the company Idorsia. It is an agonist and modulator for the
Patient-Reported Outcomes (PRO), LupusPRO, and Lupus
Measuring lupus pain, fatigue, and other symptoms over time is hard. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are self-reports from patients that can help diagnose and manage the disease. Patient-reported outcomes use surveys to measure lupus. Mostly, these surveys identify the physical symptoms of lupus. But also helps researchers and doctors identify the...
Hearing Loss, Ear Health, and Lupus
What's that? Hearing loss and other aural phenomenon may impact around 30% of people living with lupus. “Autoimmune inner-ear disease” (AIED) was first described by Brian McCabe in his landmark 1979 paper. McCabe reported on 18 patients whose lupus symptoms included...
Complete Blood Count (CBC) Tests and Lupus
A complete blood count (CBC) can give you and your lupus treatment team a birds-eye view of your bloodstream & overall health. And the experts agree, CBC tests should be a regular part of your physical exam. They can even be used to help...
C-Reactive Protein Complement Test and Lupus
C-Reactive protein including C3, C4, and CH50 are heavily involved in immune system function and lupus. Testing for these proteins can even help make a definitive diagnosis. Imagine a series of dominos, lined up in a row. Except, in this case, when the last domino falls, it...
Blood Tests for Diagnosing and Measuring Lupus
Blood tests are a critical part of detecting and measuring lupus. Even though currently available blood tests don't offer certainty, new biomarker-based options may provide deeper insights. When you get a blood test, a small sample of blood is taken from a vein...
Why Doctors Misdiagnose Lupus (& What You Can Do!)
It's common for clinicians to misdiagnose lupus or suggest that symptoms are a result of stress. 68% of Lupus Warriors had to see 3 or more doctors before being diagnosed. All types of lupus including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE),