ESR/CRP
A ESP/CRP test is administered through blood tests to detect any inflammation in the body caused by an autoimmune disease. CRP is a type of protein produced by the liver and is found in the bloodstream as a response to inflammation. A CRP test can help detect conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (swelling of intestines) and lupus (long-term autoimmune disease). An ESP test checks for the health of your red blood cells by examining collected blood samples to see how quickly they settle. If they do so at a rate that is faster than normal, there may be some abnormalities due to conditions such as arthritis (swelling of joints).
ANA
An ANA test is performed to check for antinuclear antibodies (antibodies that attack normal cell proteins) in your blood. It is a recommended procedure for inflammatory/autoimmune screenings as it has a high level of sensitivity compared to other tests. Signs of an autoimmune disease that may warrant an ANA test are a rash, fever, persistent fatigue and muscle and joint pain. These are symptoms of autoimmune disease such as lupus and arthritis. If the result of an ANA test is positive, you may be experiencing an autoimmune condition where your own tissues are being targeted by the antibodies. However, patients who are healthy may also receive a positive ANA test result due to an infection. It is important to check with an experienced doctor to reach the correct diagnosis.
Anti-Ds DNA
An Anti-Ds DNA test is done to diagnose lupus, which is a long-term type of autoimmune disease. It tests for the level of autoantibodies (antibodies that attack normal cell proteins) to anti-dsDNAs in the blood to detect any abnormalities that may be causing the patient’s symptoms. While lupus has no cure, it can be managed. Frequent anti-Ds DNA tests can monitor the effectiveness of treatments administered as lupus is known to affect the skin, heart, lungs, brain and kidneys.
An inflammatory/autoimmune markers screening lets your doctor know if you are suffering from an autoimmune disease. This is key to developing the right treatment plan for you. Inflammatory/autoimmune markers screenings are typically performed when a patient experiences abnormal symptoms such as chronic pain that does not go away with other treatments. You should let your doctor know about any history of autoimmune disease in your family to evaluate your risk of any specific diseases.
Some conditions that may require an inflammatory/autoimmune markers screening in Singapore include:
