Autoimmune Disease Testing
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Your immune system is your body's natural defense against infection and other foreign material. Before you can have a reaction to a particular substance, your immune system must first be sensitized to it. This happens in an earlier contact with the substance. Once sensitized, your body will react every time you have contact with that substance. Many substances can cause an allergic reaction. The most common are pollen, mold, animal dander, dust and dust mites, latex, medicines, insect stings and foods. Autoimmune diseases arise from an overactive immune response of the body against substances and tissues normally present in the body. In other words, the body actually attacks its own cells. This may be restricted to certain organs (e.g. in thyroiditis) or involve a particular tissue in different places (e.g. Goodpasture's disease which may affect the basement membrane in both the lung and the kidney). The treatment of autoimmune diseases is typically with immunosuppression—medication which decreases the immune response.
Private MD Lab Services offers the following autoimmune disease-related tests:
FAQ
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What's an autoimmune disease?
An autoimmune disease is one in which the immune system fights against healthy cells and tissues of the body. This causes damage and disruption to the body's normal functions.
Some of the most common forms of autoimmune disease include:
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Lupus
- Celiac Disease
- Addison Disease
- Multiple sclerosis
These conditions are chronic and can significantly impact the quality of life. The exact cause of autoimmune diseases is unknown but is believed to result from genetic, environmental, and immune system factors.
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How to test for autoimmune disease?
The most common way to test for autoimmune disease is through blood tests. In addition, a doctor can often make a diagnosis based on your symptoms. A positive antibody test confirms the presence of an autoimmune disorder and helps identify its cause. Doctors often run additional tests such as genetic testing or tissue biopsies to confirm the diagnosis, rule out other diseases and determine appropriate treatment options.
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Which are the most common autoimmune diseases?
Some of the most common autoimmune diseases are:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
- Grave's Disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Celiac disease
- Psoriasis
An Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA) test can confirm if you have an autoimmune disease but will not tell you which. Therefore, if you have a positive result, speak to your doctor for further testing to confirm which disease you are dealing with.
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What are some treatment options for autoimmune diseases?
Some treatment options for autoimmune diseases include medications and physical therapy. The most common treatments are:
- Immunosuppressants
- Painkillers
- Corticosteroids
- Anti-inflammatory drugs
Other treatments include:
- Surgery
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
These are implemented to help patients regain function as much as possible, manage pain, and stay physically active.
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Do I need to visit a doctor?
Nope. You don't need a doctor's visit to get a test with us.
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How do I get my results?
You'll get your results via email as soon as they are available. We will notify you via SMS as well. You can also see them at any time in the future right in your dashboard where you can easily share them with your professional and compare them side by side with future tests.
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Does my lab prescription expire?
We're the only lab that honors your lab order forever.