What blood test tube is used to test for lupus?

Answer 1

A variety of blood tests are used to help diagnose lupus but there is no single marker. Examination of blood cells (red, white, platelets) is usually performed. Lupus patients may be anemic, have low white counts, or be low on platelets. A metabolic panel will be done to rule out other diseases or conditions that have symptoms similar to lupus. Sedimentation rate, CRP and ferratin tests will reveal inflammation inside the body. FANA ( fluoresecnt antinuclear antibody), anti double stranded DNA. anti Smith, LE prep, and other autoantibody screenings may be performed. Tests for antiphospholipid antibody syndrome may also be performed. There is no definitive test.

10 million Americans have a positive ANA, but only about 1.5 million have lupus. Of the 1.5 million people with lupus 95-98% will have a negative ANA. The other tests present the same problems. If a person has a positive antiSmith then they do have lupus. But a large percentage of lupus patients do not have this antibody. All in all, there are 118 autoantibodies that may or may not be present.

Answer 2

There is no definitive blood test for lupus, therefore there is no code for it. Typically, a rheumatologist will run an ANA, anti ds dna, anti Smith, cmp, cbc with differential, complement, ESR, CRP, and urinalysis with creatine clearance and BUN, to mention a few.