For a disease to be regarded as an autoimmune disease it needs to answer to Witebsky's postulates (first formulated by Ernest Witebsky and colleagues in 1957 and modified in 1994): * Direct evidence from transfer of disease-causing antibody or disease-causing T lymphocyte white blood cells * Indirect evidence based on reproduction of the autoimmune disease in experimental animals * Circumstantial evidence from clinical clues Symptoms of early autoimmune disease are often the exact same as common illnesses, including: fatigue, fever, malaise, joint pain, and rash. Due to the fact symptoms vary for affected location, disease<unk> ng agents, and individuals, it is difficult for proper diagnosis. Typically, diagnosis begins with looking into a patient's family's history for genetic predisposition. This is combined with various tests, as no single test can identify an autoimmune disease. Antinuclear antibody A test used to identify abnormal proteins, known as antinuclear antibodies, produced when the body attacks its own tissues. It may test positive in several disorders. This test is most useful for diagnosing systemic lupus erythematosus, having a 95% positive test rate. Complete blood count A test taking measurements on maturity levels, count, and size of blood cells. Targeted cells include: red blood cells, white blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelets. Based on increased or decreased numbers in these counts, underlying<unk>  conditions may be present; typically, autoimmune disease is represented by low white blood cell count (Leukopenia). For proper diagnosis, further testing is needed. Complement A test used to measure levels of a protein group of the immune system called complement within blood. If complement is found in low levels, this may be an indication of disease. C-reactive protein C-reactive protein, a protein made in the liver, generally increases with inflammation, and may be high in autoimmune disease. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate This test measures the rate at which a patient's blood cells descend in a test tube. More rapid descents may indicate inflammation, a common symptom of autoimmune disease. If these tests are indicative antibody abnormalities and inflammation, further tests will be conducted to identify the autoimmune disease present.
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