Medical Identification Processes
Lupus can be a difficult disease to treat because it is an autoimmune disease however, the medical world has established a range of technologies that can be used in the first step toward good health: identification. There are various different kinds of processes and tests that can be used to diagnose Lupus. The following is a list of these procedures.
Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA) blood tests: This test is used to find specific antibodies in the individual's blood. These antibodies are produced by the immune system and if they are found in the blood, it can mean an overactive immune system. If the test comes back positive, it can be an indicator that the individual has Lupus.
Biopsy: Some of the infected cells or tissues are removed and sent to a lab to be tested. When trying to diagnose Lupus, samples of the skin or kidneys may be used for a biopsy as both can be damaged in individuals with Lupus.
Blood tests: Lupus can also affect the liver and the kidneys so regular blood tests can be used to determine if these organs have been damaged.
Complete Blood Count (CBC): Anemia can occur when an individual has Lupus. Anemia occurs as a result of a low red blood cell count. A low number of white blood cells or platelets in the blood can also be a sign of Lupus. This test is used to count the number of red and white blood cells and platelets and can determine if any of these numbers are low.
C-Reactive Protein: Lupus causes inflammation in the body and when parts of the body becomes inflamed, this protein becomes present in the body. Thus, if this protein is found in the body, it is a sign that Lupus may be the reason behind the inflammation.
Echocardiogram: Lupus may cause heart complications. This process created images of the individual's heart using sound waves to identify any irregularities.
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) AKA Sed Rate: When swelling and inflammation, which can be caused by Lupus, occurs in the body, blood cells will become more dense and thus heavier, due to the clumping of the proteins. This test examines speed with which red blood cells sink to the bottom of a test tube in a given amount of time. The quicker the ESR, the more serious the inflammation is.
Urine tests/Urinalysis: The kidneys can be damaged by Lupus so these tests look at the protein level and red blood cell count in the individual's urine. An increase in protein level or the presence of red blood cells can indicate an irregularity in the kidneys.
X-Rays: These tests can be used for a variety of different purposes however when being used to diagnose Lupus, doctors look at tissues and organs that may be damaged due to Lupus. For example, fluid or swelling in the lungs may be a sign of Lupus.