The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) have devised a criteria for defining lupus based on 11 different symptoms. The first four are related the skin; the next four focus on specific organ areas; and the final three criteria specify laboratory abnormalities of the disease:
1) Rash over the cheeks: the characteristic butterfly rash.
2) Discoid rash: raised red patches that cause scars and appear usually on sun-exposed areas.
3) Photosensitivity: rash after being exposed to ultraviolet A and B light.
4) Ulcers in the mouth or nose: usually painless and recurrent.
5) Arthritis: non-erosive arthritis in which the bones around the joints do not become destroyed; inflammation of two peripheral joints with tenderness, swelling, or fluid.
6) Plueritis or pericarditis: inflammation of the lining of the lung or heart.
7) Kidney disorder: excessive protein or abnormal sediment in the urine.
8) Neurologic disorder: seizuires, convulsions, or psychosis with no other explanation.
9) Blood abnormalities: hemolytic anemia, low white blood cell count, low platelet counts.
10) Positive antinuclear antibody (ANA) test.
11) Immunologic disorder: antibodies to Sm nuclear antigen, antibodies to native DNA, or positive results of antiphospholipid antibodies test based on an abnormal serum level of IgG or IgM anticardiolipin antibodies, a positive test result for lupus anitcoagulant, or a false-positive serologic test for syphilis known to be positive for at least 6 months.

Definitive diagnosis is made when four of the 11 criteria is manifested in a patient.
If you are not yet seeing a rheumatologist, have your GP refer you to one.

Some of the lupus-related tests that you could request for diagnosis are the following: The ANA, anti-DNA, anticardiolipin, and anti-Smith(Sm) tests.

Hopefully this is helpful to you. If you have any other questions, please feel free to reach out.

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Has anyone noticed their urine smelling different?

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