Blood tests tell alot about us internally but some other ways to look for damage would be lung fuction tests, x-rays, CT Scans, MRIs, urine samples, echocardiograms, and even lung scans. Most of those are expensive, and require a doctor to approve the test. If you are having shortness of breath and chest pain of course you could get evaluated for that. Silent inflammation in your organs can sneak up in your liver and kidneys, but blood tests can catch any of those problems. Typically with lupus, blood testing is enough unless your having obvious symptoms such as severe chest pains coupled with fever which could be pluerisy. It really depends on which part of your body is affected. If you had any of the problems associated with heart, liver, or kidneys you would know. I asked my MD about that like how Lupus can cause pericarditis, endocarditis, pluerisy, and things similar and she told me usually you will have chest pain with fever, and you would be really sick. It is the same with your muscles, you would get alot of pain and weakness. Besides blood tests you can have EMGs which look for nerve abnormalities, and muscle disease. Blood testing picks up muscle inflammation associated with Lupus though.

Hi,
You need to know that lupus doesnt always cause damage to everyones organs. Some of us just have to control tissue/joint/muscle inflamation which can be controlled with the proper medications. Sometimes, even if an organ is involved it can be reversed with the proper medications. Like your liver. Some meds that we may have to take can affect our livers then when taken off of it they can get better. Because there are several different meds now for lupus, organ damadge is not as common as it use to be. The most important thing is controlling the disease by taking our meds. It helps to keep the organs un-involved. I agree with Allison. Alot of blood tests can tell what is going on with your organs (liver/kidneys) and if your lungs are involved they can x-ray them. You may never have organ damadge (knock wood). I have been extremely sick and my organs are fine but Im on severe meds for this disease. even being very sick from lupus doesnt mean you will have organ issues.

Have they started you on meds yet? This is the key to prevention and feeling better. Im assuming that they are starting you on plaquenil? So you know ahead of time, plaquenil is slow acting and takes time to kick in and make you feel better. You need to be patient with it but it works very well for alot of us. Dont make yourself crazy with googling about all the things that CAN happen from lupus. everyone is different and what you read can cause more anxiety for some then necessary. Its better to get info from us who have delt with the disease for a long time. Ask questions as someone here will be able to answer them.

Hope this helped a little.

There is also a group for sjogrens on here. Lots of good info there too. Sjogrens is a lot more than dry mouth and eyes and can afftect organs too. Same treatments as lupus in some cases. hugs marilyn