Blood Tests for Autoimmune Diseases
Autoimmune diseases are a group of conditions where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells, tissues, and organs. Blood tests are commonly used to detect and diagnose autoimmune diseases.
Complete Blood Count (CBC): A CBC measures the number of red and white blood cells and platelets in the body. It can detect signs of inflammation which can help diagnose autoimmune diseases.
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR): This test measures the rate at which red blood cells settle at the bottom of a test tube. An abnormally high ESR rate may indicate the presence of inflammation, which is a common symptom of autoimmune diseases.
Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA): ANA is a type of autoantibody that reacts to proteins in the nucleus of a cell. It is often used to diagnose systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), an autoimmune disorder.
C-Reactive Protein (CRP): CRP is a protein produced by the liver when inflammation is present. Elevated levels of CRP in the blood may indicate the presence of inflammation, which can be caused by autoimmune diseases.
Thyroid Tests: Autoimmune diseases, such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease, can cause the thyroid to become overactive or underactive. Thyroid tests measure the levels of thyroid hormones in the blood to diagnose these conditions.
Rheumatoid Factor (RF): RF is an antibody that is present in the blood of people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune disorder that affects the joints. A positive RF test result indicates the presence of RA.
Anti-dsDNA: Anti-dsDNA is an antibody that is found in the blood of people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A positive anti-dsDNA test result indicates the presence of SLE.
Anti-Sm: Anti-Sm is an antibody that is found in the blood of people with SLE. A positive anti-Sm test result indicates the presence of SLE.
Antibodies to Citrullinated Proteins (ACPA): ACPA is an antibody that is found in the blood of people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A positive ACPA test result indicates the presence of RA.
The best blood test for autoimmune diseases depends on the specific condition being tested for. Your doctor may order a combination of tests to diagnose an autoimmune disorder.
