Can you self diagnose lupus?

Lupus can be hard to diagnose because it has many symptoms that are often mistaken for symptoms of other diseases. Many people have lupus for a while before they find out they have it. If you have symptoms of lupus, tell your doctor right away. No single test can tell if a person has lupus.

What does undiagnosed lupus feel like?

Joint pain, stiffness and swelling. Butterfly-shaped rash on the face that covers the cheeks and bridge of the nose or rashes elsewhere on the body. Skin lesions that appear or worsen with sun exposure. Fingers and toes that turn white or blue when exposed to cold or during stressful periods.

Can I tell my doctor I think I have lupus?

What should I do? In the first instance, if you are unwell or experiencing unexplained symptoms you should make an appointment with your GP to discuss them. If your GP feels that further investigations are needed to find the cause of your symptoms, they will request tests and/or refer you to a specialist.

What are the 11 markers for lupus?

Does lupus show up in blood work?

No one test can diagnose lupus. The combination of blood and urine tests, signs and symptoms, and physical examination findings leads to the diagnosis.

My Journey to a Lupus Diagnosis: Advice for People Who are Newly Diagnosed

How does a doctor confirm lupus?

Your doctor will look for rashes and other signs that something is wrong. Blood and urine tests. The antinuclear antibody (ANA) test can show if your immune system is more likely to make the autoantibodies of lupus. Most people with lupus test positive for ANA.

Can a CBC tell if you have lupus?

Many people with systemic lupus have abnormal CBCs. White blood cell counts can be low (leukopenia) due to lupus, immunosuppressive therapy, or the presence of a virus. High WBC counts may signal infection but also occur when individuals are on corticosteroids such as prednisone.

When should you suspect lupus?

Virtually any symptom of illness or inflammation can signal lupus. However, some of the symptoms most closely associated with lupus include: a butterfly-shaped rash on the face. skin changes and sun sensitivity.

What bloodwork shows lupus?

Tests to Make a Lupus Diagnosis

Complete blood count (CBC): checks for low counts of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Complement tests: measures the level of complement — proteins in your blood that help destroy foreign substances. Low levels of complement can indicate lupus.

What is borderline lupus?

A doctor may use the phrase "borderline lupus" when symptoms or blood test results suggest lupus, but there is not enough information for a definite diagnosis.

How long can you have lupus without knowing?

On average, it takes nearly six years for people with lupus to be diagnosed, from the time they first notice their lupus symptoms.

What happens if lupus goes undiagnosed?

For example, untreated lupus can lead to blood disorders such as anemia or thrombosis. Other potential serious complications include: Chronic digestive distress that could include difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, indigestion, intestinal inflammation, liver enlargement, or pain when vomiting or feeling nauseous.

How many symptoms does it take to diagnose lupus?

Patients are diagnosed with lupus when they have 4 of the 11 total signs or symptoms, says Dr. Luk. The newer system, SLICC, published in Arthritis and Rheumatology, may also be a valuable tool, says Dr. Luk.

What is the number one symptom of lupus?

The most common lupus symptoms (which are the same for men and women) are: Extreme fatigue (feeling tired all the time) Pain or swelling in the joints. Swelling in the hands, feet, or around the eyes.

What is the first stage of lupus?

The first symptoms of lupus usually occur somewhere between the teen years and the 30s and may be mild, severe, sporadic, or continual. Common general symptoms include fatigue, fever, and hair loss. Lupus can also affect individual organs and body parts, such as the skin, kidneys, and joints.

Does anything mimic lupus?

Rheumatoid arthritis

Some symptoms of RA are similar to those of lupus, including fatigue, fever, rashes, and dry eyes. “Rheumatoid arthritis and lupus affect the same distribution of joints, the small joints in the hands and wrists, for example,” says Dr.

Can you have lupus without the rash?

While the butterfly rash (also called a malar rash or lupus rash) is one of the most commonly known symptoms people associate with lupus, it does not need to be present to be diagnosed with lupus.

What are the symptoms of lupus in a woman?

Common symptoms include fatigue, hair loss, sun sensitivity, painful and swollen joints, unexplained fever, skin rashes, and kidney problems. There is no one test for SLE. Usually, your doctor will ask you about your family and personal medical history and your symptoms. Your doctor will also do some laboratory tests.

What level of ANA indicates lupus?

The initial requirement of the criteria for lupus diagnosis is a positive ANA test with a titer of at least 80. The numerical value of the titer refers to the ratio of blood serum being evaluated to a dilution agent.

What does the first lupus flare feel like?

You may experience pain and stiffness, with or without swelling. This affects most people with lupus. Common areas for muscle pain and swelling include the neck, thighs, shoulders, and upper arms. Fever.

What should I do if I think I have lupus?

Because lupus is not a simple disease to recognize, it's a good idea to start by seeing a general medicine doctor—also known as Primary Care Provider, General Practitioner, or Family Physician. There are several kinds of health care providers who work in the office of a primary care doctor.

What are the 4 criteria for lupus?

The ACR criteria include malar rash; discoid rash; photosensitivity (development of a rash after sun exposure); oral or nasal ulcers; arthritis of multiple joints; serositis: (inflammation of the lining around the lungs or heart); kidney disease indicated by protein or casts in the urine; neurological disorders such as ...

Is lupus hard to diagnose?

Lupus is a disease that is known for being difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are different from person to person, they mimic the symptoms of many other diseases, and they can come and go. It can sometimes take several years to receive an official diagnosis.

What is the life expectancy with lupus?

The prognosis of lupus is better today than ever before. With close follow-up and treatment, 80-90% of people with lupus can expect to live a normal life span.

What causes late onset lupus?

Although the cause of late-onset lupus is unknown, it's possible that changes to the immune system that occur with aging predispose some older people to this and other autoimmune disorders. Most studies define late-onset lupus as beginning at age 50,3 but there is no consensus on this.