Category: Autoimmune

Adults who develop high blood sugar are often assumed to have type 2 diabetes. That is the correct classification for many people—but not for everyone. Adult-onset autoimmune diabetes is type 1 diabetes that begins in […]

Originally published: August 16, 2024 | Substantively updated: August 26, 2026 Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder in which antibodies stimulate the thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor and drive the thyroid gland to make too much thyroid […]

CBC and anemia blood tests evaluate the number, size, and distribution of blood cells and help organize common anemia and blood-cell patterns.1 A complete blood count with differential and platelets measures red cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, […]

Inflammation and autoimmune blood tests answer different questions. General markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP), high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) can show that inflammatory activity may be present, but they usually cannot […]

Rheumatoid arthritis blood tests can add objective information when inflammatory joint symptoms persist, but no blood test can diagnose or exclude rheumatoid arthritis by itself. Clinicians combine the history, joint examination, laboratory findings, and often […]

A positive ANA can begin a lupus evaluation, but only the larger pattern of symptoms, disease-specific antibodies, complements, blood counts, kidney function, and urine findings can show why the result matters. What Do Systemic Lupus […]

Does High Ferritin Mean Hereditary Hemochromatosis? Not by itself. Ferritin reflects stored iron, but it also rises with inflammation, infection, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), alcohol-related liver injury, other liver disease, kidney disease, malignancy, […]

Celiac disease testing is most reliable before a person starts a gluten-free diet. Celiac blood tests look for immune antibodies produced in response to gluten, and an intestinal biopsy looks for gluten-related injury. When gluten […]

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis testing should answer two different questions. First, is an autoimmune process affecting the thyroid? Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPO) Test and Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TgAb) Test help address that question. Second, is the thyroid currently […]

A pattern-based guide to separating primary adrenal failure from pituitary, hypothalamic, and medication-related cortisol deficiency—and to recognizing when outpatient testing is no longer appropriate. Addison’s disease is not diagnosed by fatigue, salt craving, low sodium, […]

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis testing answers two different questions: Is an autoimmune process affecting the thyroid, and is the thyroid currently producing enough hormone? Understanding that distinction can prevent a positive antibody result from being mistaken for […]

An elevated creatine kinase (CK) result means that more of the CK enzyme is circulating in your blood than the laboratory’s reference range predicts. CK is found mainly in skeletal muscle, so an increase commonly […]

“Why did my autoimmune disease show up now, after 50?” That question is common—and understandable. A new diagnosis in midlife can feel as though the immune system suddenly changed course. In reality, age 50 is […]

Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, is a group of chronic inflammatory conditions that includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Although diarrhea, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, and bowel urgency are well-known warning signs, intestinal inflammation can […]

Managing a chronic condition often involves much more than responding to symptoms. It may require regular medical visits, medication review, lifestyle support, home measurements, and laboratory testing that shows how the body is functioning over […]

Frozen shoulder, medically known as adhesive capsulitis, causes progressive shoulder pain, stiffness, and loss of movement. The condition develops when the connective-tissue capsule surrounding the shoulder joint becomes inflamed, thickened, and contracted. A frozen shoulder […]

Eosinophils play a crucial role in your body’s immune system. They are a type of white blood cell that helps fight infections and support overall health. However, many people feel confused about what eosinophils mean, […]

Most adults carry the Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)—often without symptoms. But new research from Stanford University suggests EBV may play a direct role in the development of lupus, a serious autoimmune disease.Understanding how EBV interacts with your immune […]

Welcome to our in-depth exploration of how red blood cells and white blood cells play crucial roles in detecting infections and immune issues through a Complete Blood Count (CBC). Understanding what type of infections can a CBC detect is […]

Fibromyalgia testing remains a challenge for many individuals who struggle with persistent pain, fatigue, and cognitive fog. Many ask, “How do you test for fibromyalgia?” They want to know if a fibromyalgia test or fibromyalgia […]

Migraines can disrupt your daily life, cause intense head pain, and lower your productivity. Many people want to know what triggers migraines, what triggers ocular migraines, and how to stop migraine headache triggers before they worsen. Furthermore, you might […]

Autoimmune diseases affect millions of people worldwide. These conditions occur when the immune system mistakenly targets healthy cells. By adopting targeted dietary strategies and understanding specific nutritional needs, individuals with autoimmune conditions can support better […]

Managing Chronic Migraines can be especially challenging because chronic migraines often disrupt daily life, strain relationships, and hinder personal goals. Fortunately, blood tests for migraines and a targeted blood test for migraine can reveal potential […]

Deeper than just a reflex, a cough can indicate a serious health problem. Learn the causes and how to approach the treatment of chronic cough and acute coughs in this guide. Coughing is a natural […]