Do I Have Lupus?

Testing for Lupus?

Below you will find the eleven criteria that are used in determining if an individual has Lupus. If a patient has four or more of the symptoms then Lupus might be suspected. The symptoms do not have to occur all at the same time. This criteria, in conjunction with a full medical history and diagnostic tools and tests, will help a doctor make a diagnosis of Lupus. Be patient if your doctor is testing you for Lupus – there is no one “magic test” for Lupus and because it can be a difficult disease to diagnose it may take some time.

Lupus Criteria:

1. Butterfly Rash – A rash that can extend over the nose to the cheeks

2. Discoid Rash – This is a thicker rash that is usually raised and can scar, especially on sun-exposed areas

3. Photosensitiviy – This is a rash that occurs after being exposed to sunlight

4. Oral Ulcers- These ulcers can occur in the nose or the mouth and are usually recurring

5. Arthritis- An Inflammation of two peripheral joints, usually occuring with tenderness and swelling

6. Serositis – This is an inflammation of the lung lining, known as Pleuritis, or an inflammation of the heart lining, known as Pericarditis

7. Disorders of the Kidney – Proteins found in the urine or abnormal sediments found in the urine(these can be seen under a microscope)

8. Neurologic Disorders – Convulsions or Seizures or Psychosis that occurs in the absence of drugs that are known to cause these conditions

9. Abnormalities in the Blood – Hemolytic Anemia, Low White Blood Cell counts, or Low Platelet counts

10. Immunologic Disorders – Blood tests that indicates Lupus anitcoagulant, anti-DNA, false-positive syphillis test, positive anti-Sm or antiphospholipid antibodies

11. Positive ANA ( Antinuclear Antibodies) Blood Test in the absence of drugs known to induce it

Dear Visitor: Almost all of the medical information on this site is directly from the sites listed below, and some of it being from my Nursing school textbooks. This site is NOT INTENDED to diagnose any medical conditions in anyway. Please visit the wesbites of the organizations listed below for more information or ask your doctor.
Ref 1: Lupus Foundation of America Website
Ref 2: Lupus Alliance of America website
Ref 3: Understanding Autoimmune Disease: NIAID