The following tests provide the starting point of any medical workup. By comparing your test results to the normal values for your age, sex, and personal circumstances (i.e., medications you may be taking, health conditions you might have, etc.), your doctor can monitor changes in your disease activity and overall health.
- Complete Blood Count (CBC) A complete blood count (CBC) is the most commonly performed lab test in the U.S. and is used to analyze red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets. Many people with systemic lupus have abnormal CBCs.
- Blood Chemistry Panel A blood chemistry panel is a common test used to evaluate anywhere from 7-25 individual components of your blood. From these tests, doctors can glean information on the function of many vital organs and substances, including your kidneys, blood glucose, cholesterol, liver, thyroid.
- Urinalysis A complete urinalysis evaluates several different aspects of your urine through physical, chemical, and microscopic examination. In lupus treatment, a urinalysis is often used to monitor protein leakage (indicating kidney involvement) and identify and assess urinary tract infections (UTIs).
