Skip to content
WebMD: Better information. Better health.
 
Other search tools:Symptoms|Doctors|Medical Dictionary

Announcements

WebMD Privacy Policy Changes Coming -- Please Read!



Is Tanorexia Real?

Learn more about symptoms, diagnosing, and treatment:
Lupus Health Center
Community TV: Speaking of Lupus with Christine Miserandino
Last Reply:
Diagnosing Lupus
avatar
David Zelman, MD posted:
In response to a number of questions regarding diagnosing lupus. I would refer you to the excellent resource from the NIH on this site. Basically you must have a certain constellation/combination of symptoms and or signs plus a + ANA ( antinuclear antibody). If this is negative it is fairly certain that you do not have lupus ( there are rare situations where the clinical part is so characteristic and test neg- other studies are then done). A positive test does not ensure lupus either in that there can be false positives (usually low +) or you may have a related disease like scleroderma , sjogren's syndrome and others.
Some symptoms of lupus are "soft" (joint pain, fatigue...) but others are more suggestive like protein in urine, pleurisy, abnl blood cells and carry more weight to diagnosis.
Tricky but not overly mysterious.
Was this Helpful?
30 of 41 found this helpful
4 Replies |Report This| Share this:Diagnosing LupusIn response to a number of questions regarding diagnosing lupus. I would refer you to the <b>excellent resource from the NIH</b> on this site. Basically you must have a certain constellation/combination of symptoms and or signs plus a + ANA ( antinuclear antibody). If this is negative it is fairly certain that you do not have lupus ( there are rare situations where the clinical part is so characteristic and test neg- other studies are then done). A positive test does not ensure lupus either in that there can be false positives (usually low +) or you may have a related disease like scleroderma , sjogren's syndrome and others. <br />Some symptoms of lupus are "soft" (joint pain, fatigue...) but others are more suggestive like protein in urine, pleurisy, abnl blood cells and carry more weight to diagnosis. <br />Tricky but not overly mysterious.
Reply
 
avatar
4Watermonkeys responded:
Thank you for the information. Also, how does a doctor approach the diagnosis when the symptoms are there, but the ANA results are inconsistent - for example, one out of three times I tested within limits for lupus?
Report This| Share this:Diagnosing LupusThank you for the information. Also, how does a doctor approach the diagnosis when the symptoms are there, but the ANA results are inconsistent - for example, one out of three times I tested within limits for lupus?
Reply
 
avatar
lisaisweavebee responded:
Thank you for the clarification. I have read conflicting reports concerning ANA. I have read that once it is positive it is always positive...then I was told that it can fluctuate with treatment going from positive to negative due to the medicines...that labs are notorious for not handling the specimens correctly which can then mess up the values...that certain test methods - whether the lab used EIA vs. IFA - are more reliable than others...and all this information has come from reliable sources (rheumatologists, LFA, The New England Journal of Medicine...) it's all very confusing.

My own experience concerning lab work has been positive ANA with positive dsDNA on both the initial testing and then on confirmation testing. But now, two years later and on plaq with bouts of pred thrown in, my levels are now normal for both ANA and dsDNA but my rash and joint pain are worse.

Lisa
Report This| Share this:Diagnosing LupusThank you for the clarification. I have read conflicting reports concerning ANA. I have read that once it is positive it is always positive...then I was told that it can fluctuate with treatment going from positive to negative due to the medicines...that labs are notorious for not handling the specimens correctly which can then mess up the values...that certain test methods - whether the lab used EIA vs. IFA - are more reliable than others...and all this information has come from reliable sources (rheumatologists, LFA, The New England Journal of Medicine...) it's all very confusing.<br /> <br />My own experience concerning lab work has been positive ANA with positive dsDNA on both the initial testing and then on confirmation testing. But now, two years later and on plaq with bouts of pred thrown in, my levels are now normal for both ANA and dsDNA but my rash and joint pain are worse.<br /> <br />Lisa
Reply
 
avatar
trisha3357 replied to lisaisweavebee's response:
I had a negative ANA however, my doctor said I had an obvious open and close case and that I did have lupus. Maybe it more obvious in some cases and harder in others. I know I had 90% of the symptoms, the only thing that was off was the ANA.
Report This| Share this:Diagnosing LupusI had a negative ANA however, my doctor said I had an obvious open and close case and that I did have lupus. Maybe it more obvious in some cases and harder in others. I know I had 90% of the symptoms, the only thing that was off was the ANA.
Reply
 
avatar
ahhee6 responded:
My hands swell up really bad and turn dark red when Im active. I get sharp pains in my chest every once in awhile when I take deep breaths. I already had a Re.Arth test done and it was negative. Would Lupus be something to think about?
Report This| Share this:Diagnosing LupusMy hands swell up really bad and turn dark red when Im active. I get sharp pains in my chest every once in awhile when I take deep breaths. I already had a Re.Arth test done and it was negative. Would Lupus be something to think about?
Reply


Back to Top
Back to Top

More from WebMD related to this Tip

symptoms of lupus | Diagnosing Lupus | scleroderma | joint pain | symptoms

See Related Pain Management Communities

See All Communities

Featuring Experts

Profile
R Swamy Venuturupalli, MD, FACR Expert
Dr. R. Swamy Venuturupalli is a board-certified rheumatologist practicing in Los Angeles. He is Clinical Chief of the Division of Rheumatology at Ce...More

Guests

Profile
Christine Miserandino Guest Expert

Coping
With Lupus

WebMD's Day2Night will help you develop personal coping strategies for living with lupus – at home,
at work, or with family
and friends.
Visit Lupus Day2Night

Popular Discussions

Start a Discussion | See All

Helpful Tips

Vitamin DExpert
Lupus patients are rightfully told to avoid the sun since it can flare the disease. But guess what... by doing so you are setting yourself ... More
Was this Helpful?
Yes No
85 of 115 found this helpful
Post a Tip | See All

Helpful Resources

Post a Resource | See All

Related News

Related Drug Reviews

  • Drug Name User Reviews
See More

Report Problems to the
Food and Drug Administration

FDAYou are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.