Lupus Site

Lupus is characterized by abnormalities in many laboratory test results. These abnormalities are different for every patient and vary significantly during the course of a patient’s disease. The serial evaluation of an individual’s tests along with the physician’s observations and the patient’s history determine the diagnosis of SLE, its course, and the treatment regimen. All laboratory values must be interpreted in light of the patient’s present status, other correlating laboratory test results, and coexisting illnesses.

Blood tests used to diagnose and monitor lupus -

Albumin

ANA

ANCA (antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies), P-ANCA (perinuclear) C-ANCA (cytoplasmic)

Anti-Cardiolipin (Anti-Phospholipid)

Anti-DNA

Anti-Ro/SS-A

Anti-Sm antibodies

Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)

CBC

Complement studies

Cholesterol

CPK

Creatinine

Creatinine Clearance

Differential Neutrophils, Lymphocytes, Monocytes, Eosinophils, Basophils

ENA (Extractable Nuclear Antigens)

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (Sed Rate, ESR)

Immunoglobulins (IG)

Iron

Rheumatoid Factor

White Blood Count (WBC, Leukocyte count)

Monitoring disease activity of lupus with blood tests