Question 1

What is Myositis?

Accepted Answer

Myositis is a group of inflammatory muscle diseases that cause progressive muscle weakness, pain, and tissue damage. It is caused by autoimmune responses where the immune system attacks healthy muscle tissue, leading to chronic inflammation. The Creatine Kinase (CK) Total test is the most important diagnostic tool for myositis because it detects elevated levels of this enzyme released when muscle cells are damaged.

Question 2

What causes myositis?

Accepted Answer

Myositis is caused by autoimmune reactions where your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy muscle tissue, leading to inflammation and damage. In some cases, viral infections like influenza, HIV, or coxsackievirus can trigger inflammatory responses in muscles. Certain medications, including statins and chemotherapy drugs, can also cause drug-induced myositis by directly damaging muscle fibers or triggering immune responses.

Question 3

What is the best test for myositis?

Accepted Answer

The Creatine Kinase (CK) Total test is the most important blood test for myositis because it measures the level of this enzyme released when muscle cells are damaged by inflammation. When you have active myositis, CK levels can be significantly elevated—sometimes 10 to 50 times higher than normal—providing clear evidence of ongoing muscle damage. Your doctor may also order additional tests like aldolase, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and autoimmune antibody panels to confirm the diagnosis and identify the specific type of myositis, but the CK test remains the primary marker for detecting and monitoring muscle inflammation.

Question 4

When should I get tested for myositis?

Accepted Answer

You should get tested if you experience progressive muscle weakness, especially in your shoulders, hips, or thighs that makes it difficult to climb stairs, lift objects, or stand from a seated position. Other warning signs include persistent muscle pain or tenderness that does not improve with rest, unexplained fatigue, difficulty swallowing, or skin rashes accompanied by muscle symptoms. Early testing is crucial because myositis can worsen over time and lead to serious complications if left untreated.

Question 5

What are the symptoms of myositis?

Accepted Answer

The primary symptom of myositis is progressive muscle weakness that typically affects both sides of your body, particularly in the shoulders, hips, neck, and back. You might notice difficulty performing everyday tasks like climbing stairs, reaching overhead, getting up from chairs, or lifting objects. Other common symptoms include muscle pain and tenderness, extreme fatigue even with minimal activity, difficulty swallowing or breathing in severe cases, and sometimes skin rashes or thickening, especially in dermatomyositis.

Question 6

Who is at risk for myositis?

Accepted Answer

Women are twice as likely as men to develop myositis, with peak onset occurring between ages 30 and 60, though it can affect people of any age including children. People with other autoimmune conditions like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, or Sjogren syndrome have an increased risk of developing myositis. Genetic factors play a role, and individuals with certain HLA gene variants are more susceptible to autoimmune muscle inflammation.

Question 7

What happens if myositis is left untreated?

Accepted Answer

Untreated myositis can lead to permanent muscle damage and severe weakness that significantly impacts your ability to perform daily activities and maintain independence. The chronic inflammation can cause muscle tissue to be replaced by fat and fibrous tissue, resulting in irreversible disability. Serious complications include difficulty swallowing that leads to aspiration pneumonia, respiratory failure from weakened breathing muscles, heart problems including arrhythmias and heart failure, and increased risk of certain cancers, particularly in dermatomyositis patients.

Question 8

Can myositis be diagnosed with a blood test?

Accepted Answer

Yes, blood tests are essential for diagnosing myositis and detecting muscle damage. The Creatine Kinase (CK) test is the primary blood test that shows elevated levels when muscle cells are breaking down due to inflammation. While blood tests provide strong evidence of muscle damage, doctors typically combine these results with clinical evaluation, physical examination, electromyography (EMG) to assess muscle electrical activity, and sometimes muscle biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and determine the specific type of myositis.

Question 9

How is myositis treated?

Accepted Answer

Myositis is primarily treated with corticosteroids like prednisone to reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system attack on muscle tissue. If steroids alone are not effective, doctors may add immunosuppressant medications such as methotrexate, azathioprine, or mycophenolate to control the autoimmune response. Physical therapy is crucial for maintaining muscle strength and flexibility, while regular monitoring with blood tests helps track disease activity and treatment effectiveness. In severe cases, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) or biologic medications may be necessary.

Question 10

How can I prevent myositis?

Accepted Answer

Since most myositis cases are autoimmune in nature, there is no guaranteed way to prevent the condition from developing. However, you can reduce your risk of drug-induced myositis by discussing potential muscle-related side effects with your doctor before starting new medications, especially statins. Protecting yourself from viral infections through good hygiene practices, staying up-to-date on vaccinations, and maintaining overall immune health may help reduce infection-triggered myositis. If you have other autoimmune conditions, working closely with your healthcare provider to manage them effectively may help reduce your overall autoimmune disease burden.

Question 11

What can I do at home for myositis?

Accepted Answer

At home, focus on gentle stretching exercises and low-impact activities like swimming or water aerobics to maintain muscle flexibility without overexertion that could worsen inflammation. Apply warm compresses to sore muscles for 15-20 minutes several times daily to ease pain and stiffness. Eat an anti-inflammatory diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids from fish, colorful fruits and vegetables, and whole grains while getting adequate protein to support muscle health. Prioritize rest when needed, pace your activities throughout the day, and use assistive devices if necessary to reduce strain on weakened muscles while you undergo medical treatment.

Question 12

How’s this work?

Accepted Answer

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Question 13

How do I know which test to get?

Accepted Answer

In the test options, find the test you want.
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Question 14

When will my lab results be available?

Accepted Answer

Most test results will be available within 1–3 business days. Once they're ready, we'll send an email and text message to let you know.
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Question 15

Is it possible to make changes to my lab order if I made a mistake with the name, date of birth, or any other details?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! We totally understand that errors can happen. No worries, we're here to help you.
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Question 16

Do you accept health insurance?

Accepted Answer

Only HSA & FSA is accepted.
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Question 17

Can I cancel my order?

Accepted Answer

Yes.
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Question 18

How can I find a lab location near me?

Accepted Answer

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Myositis Blood Test

What is Myositis?

What causes myositis?

What is the best test for myositis?

When should I get tested for myositis?

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