Diagnosis and Tests
Patient-Reported Outcomes (PRO), LupusPRO, and Lupus
Measuring lupus pain, fatigue, and other symptoms over time is hard. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs)...
Hearing Loss, Ear Health, and Lupus
What's that? Hearing loss and other aural phenomenon may impact around 30%...
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),
B-Cell Activating Factor (BAFF) & Lupus
New tests are helping identify specific proteins linked to autoimmune diseases. A 2018 study found B-cell activating factor (BAFF) in the urine of people with lupus. Diagnosing lupus and lupus nephritis is a challenging process. Today, rheumatologists rely on a combination of laboratory tests, symptom...
ANA Tests and Lupus
ANA tests identify autoantibodies in the body. And, they are one of the tools that clinicians use to help diagnose lupus. Rheumatologists review laboratory tests, symptom logs, and family history before making a lupus diagnosis. This can be a long and challenging process....
Measuring Lupus Disease Activity Over Time
Some say that the only thing constant is change. This can feel especially true for Lupus Warriors. Despite the value of tracking disease activity, measuring lupus disease activity remains a challenge. Accurate, reliable measurements of disease activity are a crucial element of healthcare and research. Identifying changes in lupus disease...
Lupus Diagnosis: Connecting the Dots
Known as "The Great Imitator," getting a lupus diagnosis can be frustrating. It involves reviewing laboratory tests, symptoms, and family history. When you're not feeling well, you want to know what the cause is. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for the lupus diasgnosis process to take months or years...
Tracking Lupus Symptoms and Treatments
It can be hard enough to remember what you ate for lunch yesterday. Relying on memory for tracking lupus isn't enough. Keeping track diligently of lupus symptoms, flares, and treatments are a crucial part of finding out what is working for you -- and just as importantly, what isn't working....