Can you get a false negative for lupus?

Yes, it is possible to get a false negative result for lupus. This can occur for several reasons:

- Early stage of the disease: In the early stages of lupus, the body may not be producing enough antibodies to be detected by a blood test. As a result, a person may test negative for lupus even if they have the disease.

- Interfering medications: Certain medications, such as antimalarials, corticosteroids, and immunosuppressive drugs, can interfere with lupus blood tests and lead to false negative results.

- Recent vaccination: Some vaccinations, such as the flu vaccine, can temporarily cause the immune system to produce antibodies that can interfere with lupus blood tests, leading to a false negative result.

- Technical errors: Laboratory errors or problems with the blood sample can also lead to false negative results.

If you have symptoms of lupus but test negative for the disease, your doctor may recommend repeating the blood test or ordering additional tests to confirm the diagnosis.