Autoimmunity is a general term used to describe the condition where a person’s immune system attacks its own cells. This occurs as a result of the immune system being overly sensitive under normal conditions, leading to responses that are a consequence of autoimmunity.
A living organism typically exhibits natural tolerance toward its own cells and molecules. The immune system does not create any attacks or defense mechanisms against the cells that serve specific functions in the body. Autoimmunity can be summarized as a change in this state, where the body starts harming itself.
The cause of autoimmunity arises when the body cannot distinguish between its own cells and foreign ones. This leads to unwanted mechanisms being activated in the body, potentially resulting in diseases, as the immune tolerance is lost and the immune system cannot recognize its own cells.
Autoimmunity can develop in a specific organ or have a broader impact. Autoimmune diseases can occur for many reasons and may change a person’s entire life. Autoimmunity doesn’t always lead to negative outcomes, but it generally triggers unexpected conditions within the body.
Autoimmunity is a malfunction of the immune system that many people may encounter. Several theories exist about the formation of autoimmunity. These include the immune system’s misrecognition of its own antibodies, T-cell functional errors, molecular structural similarities, and polyclonal B-cell activation as underlying causes.
To determine whether autoimmunity has occurred, different laboratory tests can be conducted. Viromed Laboratories, with its autoimmune tests, aims to quickly resolve health issues by applying multiple methods.
What Are Autoimmune Tests? In most autoimmune diseases, multiple systems function simultaneously. Because the clinical features of these diseases are quite similar, it becomes difficult to make a definitive diagnosis. Autoimmune tests are important diagnostic methods for detecting these diseases. Depending on the suspected disease and antibody type, different tests may be applied.
ANA Test In some autoimmune diseases, the immune system fails to recognize the body’s own antibodies, leading it to produce specific antibodies. These antibodies are called anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA). ANA, a type of autoantibody, is commonly found in autoimmune diseases.
The ANA test is used to detect whether ANA autoantibodies are present. A blood sample is collected, and the test is conducted using IFA and ELISA methods. There are no special conditions or preparations required for blood collection.
A positive ANA test does not necessarily mean the person is ill. Additional specific tests may be needed. Additionally, even individuals who do not show symptoms of the disease may have a positive ANA test. Early diagnosis or suspicion allows for a series of effective treatments if the disease develops.
The Anti ds-DNA test is commonly requested by doctors for diagnosing autoimmune and rheumatic diseases. Anti ds-DNA is a protein produced against the double-stranded DNA molecule, often observed in autoimmune conditions.
This test plays a crucial role in diagnosing Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), as 75-90% of lupus patients test positive. Therefore, a negative result does not definitively rule out lupus.
SS-A Antibody Test SS-A, or Ro antibody, is a specific test performed on patients suspected of having collagen tissue disease. Antibodies developed against SS-A/Ro antigen are often positive in many autoimmune patients. A minimum serum sample of 500 ml is required for the test.
The Anti Scl-70 test is requested for more definitive diagnosis in individuals who tested positive for ANA. It is an autoantibody test used to diagnose diseases in connective tissue and scleroderma. The test is performed using a blood sample in microbiology laboratories.
Factors Affecting Autoimmune Tests Autoimmune tests play an essential role in accurately diagnosing diseases and initiating treatment. Any factors that may cause errors in the results can lead to more significant health issues.
Patient’s Age and General Condition It is entirely normal for some autoantibodies to develop in a person as they age. Therefore, a positive result for any autoantibody does not necessarily indicate disease. Additionally, factors such as gender, previous illnesses, and physical condition can cause small or large variations in the test results.
Antibody Preservation Autoimmune diseases are assessed by analyzing the autoantibodies in the collected samples. It is crucial to ensure that the structure and content of the antibodies remain intact. The antibodies must remain active, not deviate from the sample, and retain their morphological characteristics to obtain reliable results.
Laboratory Conditions As with many tests, autoimmune tests are conducted in laboratory environments by microbiology experts. Sterilizing equipment and the lab environment, avoiding defective instruments, and ensuring the test is conducted by knowledgeable professionals contribute to minimizing errors and obtaining accurate results.
Any issues in the laboratory must be prevented, as they can affect the test in various ways.
Patient Medication Medications can cause changes in a person’s metabolism, which may lead to abnormal reactions in the body. Before conducting autoimmune tests, it is important to ask whether the patient is using any medication.
If the medication could interfere with the test, it may be discontinued a few hours before the test, or if it does not pose a problem, the patient can continue using it based on the doctor’s advice. Knowing which medication the patient is taking ensures that the test results can be interpreted accurately.
Viromed Laboratories ensures that autoimmune tests are conducted without interference from external factors, providing more accurate results to patients.
What Are Autoimmune Diseases? Autoimmune diseases occur when the body attacks its own normal cells. These diseases are classified into two categories: systemic and organ-specific.
Hashimoto’s Disease Hashimoto’s disease is a severe autoimmune disorder that causes the thyroid gland to produce fewer hormones. The antibodies, anti-thyroglobulin and anti-TPO, lead to inflammation of the thyroid gland and hormone deficiency. As the disease progresses, both the thyroid gland and thyroid hormones become insufficient.
There are no specific symptoms or clinical signs of Hashimoto’s disease. Common symptoms include weight gain, constipation, voice changes, fatigue, sensitivity to cold, and dry skin. In more advanced stages, serious problems such as low sodium levels, decreased libido, and carpal tunnel syndrome may develop.
Certain risk factors, such as smoking, pregnancy, and a family history of Hashimoto’s disease, increase the likelihood of developing the disease. Women are eight times more likely to develop Hashimoto’s than men.
Treatment mainly involves medication supplementation, along with regular exercise and a balanced diet to support the therapy.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Also known as butterfly disease, SLE affects many organs in the body. In lupus, the immune system produces antibodies against collagen.
Lupus has many symptoms due to its widespread effects on the body, including fatigue, weakness, skin changes, and localized hair loss. The most typical symptom is the butterfly-shaped rash on the nose and cheeks, though sun exposure may lead to rashes in other areas as well.
There is no cure for lupus, and treatment focuses on alleviating symptoms and preventing serious complications through medication.
Myasthenia Gravis Myasthenia Gravis is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes significant loss of function in skeletal muscles. It results from the destruction of acetylcholine receptors, which disrupts communication between nerves and muscles.
Symptoms of Myasthenia Gravis develop suddenly and worsen over time. Weakness in the eye muscles, difficulty swallowing, speech impairment, and breathing difficulties may occur. Various medications may be used for treatment.
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