Autoimmune Disorder Panel

The Autoimmune Disorder Panel is a combination of 8 health tests that measure and evaluate the body.

Our Autoimmune Disorder Panel includes the following tests:

1. Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA)
2. Complete Blood Count (CBC) with Differential
3. Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) 
4. C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
5. Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR or sed rate)
6. Ferritin Test
7. Rheumatoid Arthritis - Rheumatoid Factor (RF)
8. Routine Comprehensive Urinalysis With Microscopic Examination

1) The Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA) Test

Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA) tests are designed to determine levels of antibodies in your blood and their patterns that work against the body (referred to as an autoimmune reaction). Antinuclear antibodies are associated with autoimmune diseases. This blood test is often used to identify immune system issues and autoimmune diseases like:

• Rheumatoid factor
• Polymyositis
• Sjögren's syndrome
• Scleroderma
• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

2) The Complete Blood Count (CBC) with Differential Test

The Complete Blood Count (CBC) test gives an overall view of general health by measuring the health of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. These cells, respectively, provide oxygen to various tissues and organs, help the immune system fight off infections, and assist in the formation of blood clots and the regeneration of new tissues. Our CBC test includes testing for 10 components of the blood:

• Red Blood Cell Count (RBC)
• Red Blood Cell Distribution Width (RDW)
• Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV)
• Hematocrit
• Hemoglobin (Hgb, Hb)
• Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH)
• Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC)
• White Blood Cell Count (WBC)
• Percentage and Absolute Differential Counts / White Blood Cell Differential
• Platelet Count

3) The Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) Test

The Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) measures blood sugar (glucose) levels, electrolyte and fluid balance, kidney function, and liver function. The 14 measurements included in the CMP help to provide a look at the overall health of the body and its metabolism and chemical balance. The CMP is useful in helping to diagnose certain conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease and hypertension. The CMP aids in determining how the liver and kidneys are functioning and where glucose, calcium, protein, sodium, potassium, and chloride levels stand. It includes measurements for;

• Albumin
• Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
• Alkaline Phosphatase
• Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
• Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
• Calcium
• Carbon dioxide (Bicarbonate)
• Chloride
• Creatinine with estimated GFR
• Glucose
• Potassium
• Sodium
• Total bilirubin
• Total protein

4) The C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Test

Produced in the liver, C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute phase reactant (APR) which begins to increase in serum a few hours after the initiation of an inflammatory process. CRP is a sensitive but nonspecific indicator of acute injury, bacterial infection, or inflammation. Very high CRP values are found in acute myocardial infarction, sepsis, malignancy, autoimmune disorders, and following surgery. Increased C-reactive protein (CRP) levels are found in inflammatory conditions including: 

• Bacterial infection
• Rheumatic fever
• Active arthritis
• Myocardial infarction
• Malignancies and in the post-operative state

5) The Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR or sed rate) Test

The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) blood test, also called a sedimentation rate or sed rate, is used to detect diseases associated with inflammation. It is useful in detecting inflammation diseases like:

• Infection
• Autoimmune disease
• Heart disease
• Arthritis

6) The Ferritin Test 

Ferritin is found in virtually all cells of the body and serves as the cellular storage repository for iron. The majority of ferritin iron stores are found in the liver, spleen and bone marrow. This test is used to measure ferritin levels in the blood. Ferritin is an intracellular protein which plays a significant role in the adsorption, storage, and release of iron in the human body. Found mainly in the liver, bone marrow, and spleen the serum ferritin level is generally proportional to the total body iron stored in tissues and in the circulation. Serum ferritin is the best single test for the diagnosis of iron deficiency. It is also used to support diagnosis and follow therapy of patients with hemochromatosis, and distinguish iron deficiency anemias from other types. Ferritin is an acute phase reactant and may be elevated in a number of inflammatory conditions and infections. Very high levels may occur with hemophagocytosis and/or disseminated histoplasmosis in patients who have the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. High serum ferritin may be associated with:

• Inflammation
• Liver disease
• Alcoholism
• Megaloblastic anemia
• Hemolytic anemia
• Sideroblastic anemia
• Thalassemia
• Iron overload (hemochromatosis, hemosiderosis)
• Gaucher disease,
• Hereditary hyperferritinemia cataract syndrome
• Malignant diseases
• Leukemia 
• Lymphoma

7) The Rheumatoid Arthritis - Rheumatoid Factor (RF) Test 

This blood test detects and measures rheumatoid factor (RF) in the blood to help diagnose the presence of an autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid factor is an autoantibody, a protein that attacks a person’s own tissue. This is because the body’s immune system has misidentified its own tissue as a foreign threat, like a bacteria or virus. 

About 80% of people with rheumatoid arthritis will have a positive RF test result. Rheumatoid factor can also be detected in individuals with other autoimmune disorders, not only rheumatoid arthritis.

8) The Routine Comprehensive Urinalysis With Microscopic Examination Test 

Our Urinalysis with macro and microscopic examination is a 12-panel test that examines a urine sample and analyzes numerous levels and elements within the urine. A urinalysis is important in accessing the chemical constituents in the urine and the relationship to various disease states. Microscopic examination helps to detect the presence of abnormal urine cells and formed elements. A urinalysis can detect abnormalities of urine; help diagnose renal diseases, urinary tract infection, urinary tract neoplasms, systemic diseases, and inflammatory or neoplastic diseases adjacent to the urinary tract. Our Urinalysis Test Panel analyzes:

• The urine sample color
• Appearance
• Specific gravity
• pH
• Protein levels
• Glucose
• Ketones
• Occult blood
• Leukocyte esterase
• Nitrite
• Bilirubin
• Urobilinogen