Autoimmune test question

[Miss]

autoimmune test question

I was told my last bloodwork didn't show anything autoimmune for arthritis or lupus. So now I have some questions.
Is there a specific test for these?
I'm assuming if it was just some sort of general autoimmune test, wouldn't the crohn's show up?
And if there is specific bloodwork for arthritis or lupus then wouldn't they just do that to diagnose crohn's or confirm diagnosis? Maybe I'm just not understanding what the GI's nurse was talking about. I've had some issues after my remicade treatments so they wanted to rule out lupus and RA.
Help.

Thanks,

Miss

 

[dayng1016]

Yes the ANA is a general test for lupus and other autoimmune diseases, but there are others that are specific to lupus and arthristis. The one for rheumatoid arthritis is the rheumatoid factor. The one's for lupus would be the anti-sm, anti-dna (double stranded dna). Usually the doctor can order an ANA comprehensive blood test and you will get the anit-sm, anti-ra, SS-A and I believe the SS-B (these two if positive are mostly in sjogrens). I don't believe though the double stranded dna is included, that would have to be ordered separate. I hope this helps.