What Are Inflammation and Autoimmune Disorders?

Inflammation is the body’s immune response to an irritant, such as a germ, foreign object (splinter), bacteria, virus, or due to a medical condition. Your body fights these irritants, and as a result releases substances called inflammatory mediators: the hormones bradykinin and histamine. Mucus membranes release more fluid to flush out “the bad stuff,” and this can result in a runny nose or fluid entering tissue and causing swelling. Common symptoms include fatigue, joint pain and swelling, skin problems like rash, abdominal pain or digestive issues, recurring fever, and swollen glands.

There are two types of inflammation:

  • Acute inflammation – your body responds to sudden damage like a cut or splinter, and sends inflammatory cells to ignite the healing process.
  • Chronic inflammation – your body sends inflammatory cells when there is no trigger like bacteria or injury. For example, inflammatory cells can attack joint tissue and cause damage and pain called rheumatoid arthritis.

Inflammatory disease is a broad term for autoimmune diseases caused by chronic inflammation. Autoimmune diseases occur when your body mistakenly attacks healthy cells. Some risk factors are correlated with an overactive immune system. These include genetic disorders like lupus or multiple sclerosis, being overweight or obese, smoking, and certain medications like antibiotics or drugs used to lower blood pressure. But ultimately, researchers aren’t exactly sure what causes autoimmune diseases, and there can be comorbidities like heart problems, cancer, Type 2 diabetes, and other conditions.

Examples of autoimmune diseases include:

  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Psoriasis
  • Psoriatic arthritis
  • Lupus
  • Thyroid diseases
  • Type 1 diabetes
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Ulcerative colitis

The Role of Inflammation and Autoimmune Testing

Inflammation testing and autoimmune testing can help differentiate diseases since there is a notable overlap among symptoms associated with autoimmune conditions. Consider testing if you have a family history of autoimmune disorders, are experiencing ongoing inflammatory symptoms, or notice a new symptom.

Test results can guide treatment and behaviors like changes to the diet and exercise that can improve quality of life. Testing can also help a health care professional monitor an inflammatory condition and determine whether treatment is working. Keep in mind, tests designed to detect inflammation do not distinguish between acute and chronic inflammation.

Who should get testing?

If you have a family history of autoimmune disorders, your doctor might suggest testing as a proactive measure so you can make necessary lifestyle changes to protect your health. You also might need immunity testing if you are experiencing symptoms associated with an autoimmune disorder, including fever, rash, fatigue, joint pain or swelling, or muscle pain.

Types of Inflammation and Autoimmune Tests

There are a number of tests used to detect inflammation and autoimmune disorders. No test is perfect, and a clinical evaluation is always recommended along with testing. The most common tests include:

C-Reactive

C Reactive Protein (CRP Blood Test)

ESR

ESR Blood Test (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate)

ENA Panel

Extractable Nuclear Antigen Antibodies (ENA) Panel

More Inflammation and Autoimmune Tests

Getting Tested for Inflammation and Autoimmune Disorders

Inflammation and autoimmune testing are almost always performed in a controlled medical setting like a doctor’s office, hospital, or accredited laboratory. Many different autoimmune tests identify inflammation, so it’s best that a medical professional guides you toward the right test given your family history, symptoms, and health status. If you have undergone inflammation testing, a clinician might recommend autoimmune testing that can detect specific disorders.

Costs of autoimmune testing

The cost of an autoimmune test will vary by location and test type. Labs, clinics, and at-home testing companies may accept insurance to cover or lower your cost of testing.

Testing can range dramatically in cost depending on what type of autoimmune panel you require and whether you get an at-home inflammation test or an at-home autoimmune test.

Types of sample collection

The sample for an autoimmune test will depend on the particular test you’re taking. Generally speaking, blood tests for inflammation and autoimmune issues is most common.

Getting test results

You may receive autoimmune test results during a follow-up appointment with your doctor, over the phone, or through online medical charts.  It’s important to discuss results with a health care professional.

If autoimmune test results are positive, your doctor will recommend lifestyle changes such as diet and possibly medications.

Resources

These resources offer additional information about inflammation and autoimmune disorders:

Sources

See More
Take Control of Your Health

Ask a Laboratory Scientist

Ask A Laboratory Scientist

This form enables patients to ask specific questions about lab tests. Your questions will be answered by a laboratory scientist as part of a voluntary service provided by one of our partners, American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science. Please allow 2-3 business days for an email response from one of the volunteers on the Consumer Information Response Team.

Send Us Your Question