Diagnosis and Treatments

Diagnostic Tools for Lupus: There are many tools that can be used in the diagnosis of Lupus.  The tools are used as needed for the individual case.

  • Medical History
  • Complete physical examination
  • Laboratory tests:
    • Complete blood count (CBC)
    • Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
    • Urinalysis
    • Blood chemistries
    • Complement levels
    • Antinuclear antibody test (ANA)
    • Other antibody tests (anti-DNA , anti-Sm, anti-RNP,  Anti-Ro [SSA],  Anti-La [SSB])
    • Anticardiolipin antibody test
  • Skin biopsy
  • Kidney biopsy

Treatment of Lupus:

  • NSAIDS- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
  • Antimalarial drugs- such as hydroxychloroquine
  • Corticosteroids- usually prednisone
  • Immunosuppressive agents- such as methotrexate & cyclosporine