Muscle Pain & Inflammation Blood Test

What is Myalgia and Myositis?

Myalgia and myositis are conditions characterized by muscle pain and inflammation that can severely limit daily activities. Myositis is often caused by autoimmune processes where the body attacks its own muscle tissue, with specific antibodies like cytosolic 5'-nucleotidase 1A (cN-1A) indicating autoimmune muscle disease. The Cytosolic 5'-Nucleotidase 1A (cN-1A) Antibody (IgG) test is the most important test for diagnosing autoimmune myositis.

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What causes myalgia and myositis?

Myalgia and myositis are caused by different mechanisms depending on the type. Myalgia can result from muscle overuse, viral infections like influenza, stress, or medications like statins. Myositis is primarily caused by autoimmune processes where the immune system mistakenly attacks muscle tissue, producing antibodies such as cN-1A that target muscle cells. Other causes include inflammatory conditions, certain medications, and rarely, infections or cancers that trigger immune responses against muscle tissue.

What is the best test for myalgia and myositis?

The Cytosolic 5'-Nucleotidase 1A (cN-1A) Antibody (IgG) test is the most important test for diagnosing autoimmune myositis because it detects specific antibodies that indicate your immune system is attacking muscle tissue. This specialized blood test identifies cN-1A antibodies that are directly associated with inflammatory muscle disease, helping distinguish autoimmune myositis from simple muscle pain. Elevated cN-1A antibody levels confirm the diagnosis and help your doctor determine whether you need immunosuppressive treatment or corticosteroids to manage the autoimmune inflammation.

When should I get tested for myalgia and myositis?

You should get tested if you experience persistent muscle pain that does not improve with rest, unexplained muscle weakness that affects daily activities like climbing stairs or lifting objects, muscle tenderness or swelling without injury, fatigue accompanied by muscle aching, or if you have difficulty swallowing or breathing due to muscle weakness. Testing is especially important if your muscle symptoms appeared suddenly, are progressively worsening, or are accompanied by rashes or other autoimmune symptoms, as early diagnosis of autoimmune myositis leads to better treatment outcomes.

What are the symptoms of myalgia and myositis?
Myalgia symptoms include general muscle aches, soreness, and discomfort that may feel like you exercised too hard. Myositis symptoms are more severe and include progressive muscle weakness especially in shoulders, hips, and thighs, difficulty rising from a chair or climbing stairs, muscle pain and tenderness, fatigue, difficulty swallowing, shortness of breath if respiratory muscles are affected, and sometimes a skin rash. You might notice that simple tasks like lifting grocery bags or brushing your hair become increasingly difficult as muscle weakness progresses.
Who is at risk for myalgia and myositis?
Anyone can develop myalgia, but myositis primarily affects women more than men and typically develops between ages 30 and 60. You are at higher risk if you have other autoimmune conditions like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or scleroderma, have a family history of autoimmune diseases, are taking certain medications like statins or colchicine, or have been exposed to viral infections that can trigger muscle inflammation. People with specific genetic markers may also have increased susceptibility to developing autoimmune myositis.
What happens if myalgia and myositis are left untreated?
Untreated myositis can lead to serious complications including permanent muscle weakness and atrophy, difficulty swallowing that increases choking risk and can lead to malnutrition, breathing problems if respiratory muscles become affected, increased risk of falls and injuries due to muscle weakness, and potential heart complications as cardiac muscle can also be affected. The muscle damage from autoimmune inflammation can become irreversible if treatment is delayed, making early diagnosis and treatment essential to prevent long-term disability and preserve muscle function.
Can myalgia and myositis be diagnosed with a blood test?
Yes, blood tests are essential for diagnosing myositis and determining its cause. The cN-1A Antibody test specifically detects autoimmune antibodies that attack muscle tissue, confirming autoimmune myositis. Additional blood tests like creatine kinase (CK) and aldolase measure muscle enzymes that leak into the bloodstream when muscles are damaged, while other antibody tests can identify different types of inflammatory muscle disease. While blood tests cannot diagnose simple myalgia from overuse, they are critical for identifying autoimmune and inflammatory causes of muscle symptoms.
How is myalgia and myositis treated?
Myalgia treatment depends on the cause and may include rest, over-the-counter pain relievers, gentle stretching, and addressing underlying issues like medication side effects or infections. Myositis requires more aggressive treatment with corticosteroids like prednisone to reduce inflammation, immunosuppressive medications such as methotrexate or azathioprine to control the autoimmune response, and physical therapy to maintain muscle strength and function. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) may be used in severe cases, and treatment is typically long-term with regular monitoring to adjust medications and prevent complications.
How can I prevent myalgia and myositis?
While you cannot prevent autoimmune myositis, you can reduce myalgia risk by warming up properly before exercise, gradually increasing workout intensity, staying hydrated, maintaining good posture, taking breaks during repetitive activities, and managing stress through relaxation techniques. If you have autoimmune myositis, preventing flares involves taking prescribed medications consistently, avoiding triggers like excessive sun exposure or infections, getting adequate rest, and maintaining regular follow-up with your healthcare provider. Early treatment of infections and avoiding unnecessary medications that can trigger muscle inflammation also help prevent complications.
What natural remedies help with myalgia and myositis?
For mild myalgia, natural approaches include applying heat or cold packs to sore muscles, gentle massage, magnesium supplementation if deficient, anti-inflammatory foods like fatty fish and turmeric, adequate sleep, and stress reduction through yoga or meditation. For myositis, while these remedies may provide symptom relief, they cannot replace medical treatment for the autoimmune process. Gentle range-of-motion exercises can help maintain flexibility without overexerting inflamed muscles, and adequate protein intake supports muscle repair. Always consult your doctor before starting supplements as some may interact with immunosuppressive medications used to treat myositis.
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Cytosolic 5'-Nucleotidase 1A (cN-1A) Antibody (IgG)
Google reviews 505 reviews
$1,023 $798
What's included
Fast & easy, results by email & SMS
No need to visit a doctor
Private & confidential
No insurance needed
Results explained
No extra fees paid at the lab

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