How many negative tests does it take?

I have tested negative for lupus however have all of the symptoms from the butterfly rash to joint pain to severe rashes leading to hospitalization for 5 days.  My C4 levels are low.  Does this mean anything?  I noticed that the low levels were circled by the doctor on my blood tests however, they said they thought this was unrelated to my condition.  If you don't know what my condition is how can you say that anything is unrelated?  Woke up one morning unable to walk due to my joints not working.  Tried to stand and fell due to knees and hips.  They said that this was unrelated too.  Unfortunately, the doctors can't tell me unrelated to what?

[karajo]

Hi Sandi and welcome to MedHelp.

First of all, I know there is a a lupus support group in Spokane.  I can try to find out the place and time and send it through a personal message.

Secondly, there are 11 criteria for a lupus dx.  You must have at least 4 of the 11 to recieve a dx.

They are:
1. malar rash over cheeks (butterfly rash)
2. discoid rash, red raised patches
3. photosensitivity - reaction to sunlight, resulting in skin rash
4. oral and nose ulcers
5. arthritis
6. serositis - inflamation (inflammation) of the lining of the lung or heart
7. reanl disorder - excessive protein in urine and/or cellular casts
8. neurologic disorder - seizures, or psychosis
9. anemia or low white blood countor lymphopenia or low platelet count
10. positive ANA
11. positive anti-DNA or anti-Sm, or antiphospholipid antibody or false pos. syphilis test

Other symptoms are:
fever
abdominal pain
chest pain
shortness of breath
blood in urine
hair falling out
fatigue
muscle pain and weakness
dizziness
poor memory
headaches
poor circulation in fingers and toes
tingling in extremities
diarrhea
bloating
nausea
weight loss
abdominal pain
blurred vision
depression
palpitations
raynauds (where fingers turn white when cold)
intollerance to cold
sore throat
...to name a few

Keep in mind that fibromyalgia, CFS, MS, celiac disease and lymes disease also have similar symptoms.

So, they look at the whole picture.  There is a such thing as "negetive ANA lupus".  Usually eventually everyone w/ lupus will have an elevated ANA.  And YES, the low C4 level is significant.  Along w/ anti-DNA, complement components C3, C4 and CH50 are indicators for active inflammation.  A few people w/ genetic complement deficiencies always have low complements levels.

How many of the 11 symptoms do you have?