Lupus diagnosis question?

My doc ordered the ana and rheumatiod factor tests. They came back positive. Yesterday she said she wanted to take more blood for testing and then send me to a rheumotologist. Does this mean that I have arthritis? She said it didnt, but everywhere I read it says the rheumatiod test is ordered when checking for arthritis. She said she pretty sure that I have lupus. I have the malar rash, and many other symtoms. Im new to this and really dont know what is going on. Do I have lupus (sle) becuase I have the arthritis factor? Why the arthritis test? Why do you have to go to a rheumotologist to be treated for lupus? Please help, I dont understand.

You can have lupus and still have a negative rheumatoid factor.

Rheumatologists treat autoimmune diseases. Lupus is autoimmune and so is rheumatoid arthritis, but they are not the same thing. They can occur in overlap.

A diagnosis of lupus requires that other disorders be ruled out and that you meet 4 of the 11 American College of Rheumatology for a lupus diagnosis.

THERE IS NO SINGLE TEST OR BIOMARKER FOR LUPUS.

Please go to www.lupus.org. That is the website for the Lupus Foundation of America. www.niams.gov is another good one.

lupus is a rheumotogic disease

I had the same test results. I have arthritis. But I had arthritis before my ANA came back positive. I think its positive now because of the inflamation increasing over the years. Its time for me to start meds. My doctor said "you'll know when its time to start meds because you'll be very uncomfortable in your joints" If you are in extreme pain - do your testing now and get going on your meds. If not - the day will come where you say "Its time". This is a very liveable thing. You'll be fine.

From what I understand, SLE is a systemic auto-immune disorder characterized by a wide variety of vague symptoms. Rheumatoid arthritis is similar to SLE in the sense that it is also an auto-immune problem in which the body turns on itself by attacking the joints. SLE is a broader disease and can affect any organ, not just the joints. Seeing a rheumatologist would be in your best interest at this time. Also, you need to sit down right now and make out a list of questions for when you see the rheumatologist. Ask and ask and ask until you are satisfied that you have a basic understanding of your diagnosis. It's your health, therefore it's your responsibility to question diagnoses and treatment. Don't ever be afraid to speak up....physicians are just people, not mind readers!

You may also want to ask for a stool test to verify this is not celiac disease. It is commonly misdiagnosed for lupus, especially in the states.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez...

http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases...

Sometimes it will produce a type of rash called dermatitis herpetiformis.