The autoimmune wake-up call: Why testing early could change your life

Roughly 15 million Americans live with at least one autoimmune disease, and that number is rising. 34% of patients diagnosed with one autoimmune condition will go on to develop at least one more. Yet these conditions are often misunderstood and underdiagnosed. It often takes multiple specialists and worsening symptoms before people are given a name for what they’re experiencing. And that delay can have real consequences.The solution? Testing earlier, when symptoms first start to arise. 

This is your guide to why testing matters—especially when you’re showing signs of immune dysfunction. From rashes and joint pain to fatigue, headaches, brain fog, and blood disorders, the signals are there. You just need the right tools to catch them. 

In this article, we’ll explore the symptoms to look for, the benefits of early detection, the limitations of standard testing, and actionable steps to take charge of your health.

What is autoimmune disease?

Autoimmunity occurs when the immune system mistakenly targets the body’s own cells, tissues, or molecules, triggering an internal crossfire that can affect virtually any part of the body—including the joints, skin, nerves, organs, and even the brain.

Over 100 conditions fall under this umbrella, including:

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA): Chronic inflammation that gradually starts to destroy joints, often starting in the hands and feet.
• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): Multi-organ inflammation that can impact the skin, joints, kidneys, brain, and more.
• Multiple sclerosis (MS): Immune-driven damage to the protective coating around nerves, disrupting communication between the central nervous system and body.
• Sjögren’s syndrome: Immune attack on the glands that produce tears and saliva, commonly leading to dry eyes and dry mouth, but can also cause systemic inflammation affecting the joints, lungs, kidneys, and nervous system.
• Celiac disease: An autoimmune cross-reactivity to gluten that primarily damages the lining of the small intestine and can cause an autoimmune rash.
• Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma): Hardening and tightening of the skin and connective tissues.
• Dermatomyositis/polymyositis: Inflammation of skin and muscles, causing rashes and muscle weakness.
• Hashimoto’s thyroiditis: An autoimmune attack on the thyroid gland that slows hormone production, often leading to fatigue, weight gain, and cold intolerance.  
• Graves’s disease: An overactivation of the thyroid by the immune system, causing symptoms such as anxiety, weight loss, rapid heartbeat, and heat sensitivity.
• Antiphospholipid syndrome: An autoimmune disorder that increases the risk of blood clots, miscarriages, and stroke by targeting phospholipids in blood vessels.

Why autoimmunity gets missed

Most routine physicals don’t test for autoimmune markers. Symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, and joint pain are common and nonspecific, so they’re often attributed to stress, aging, or other everyday issues. As a result, the average autoimmune journey often includes:

• Dismissal or downplaying of symptoms
• Multiple doctor visits before getting the right tests
• Misdiagnoses 

The symptoms of autoimmune disease are often easy to dismiss—especially when they mimic everyday fatigue, skin rashes, digestive discomfort, or mood shifts. But these subtle signs can point to real immune dysfunction. Without the right lab tests, they’re often brushed aside or left unanswered. We’ll explore these symptoms in more detail later.

What triggers autoimmunity?

“While genetics load the gun, environment pulls the trigger.” In fact, most autoimmune diseases result from gene-environment interactions, where lifestyle factors and environmental exposures contribute just as much as genetics.

 Key contributors include:

• Toxin exposure- Air pollution, pesticides, heavy metals 
• Gut disruption - Diet and microbiome changes
• Viral infections - EBV, CMV, COVID-19, and others
• Tick-borne infections (e.g., Lyme disease)
• Inflammatory foods - Ultra-processed foods, refined sugar, trans fats, processed meats high in saturated fats and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) 
• Hormonal shifts - Pregnancy complications, postpartum issues, menopause 
• Chronic stress

Early autoimmune symptoms

Autoimmune symptoms masquerade as “everyday” complaints. When these symptoms persist or start to add up, it may be time to consider testing for autoimmunity.

• Persistent fatigue
• Mood changes or brain fog
• Joint pain and stiffness
• Skin rashes
• Digestive issues (bloating, irregular bowels, food sensitivities)
• Swollen lymph nodes

Think of these as clues. Your immune system is trying to get your attention. Don’t wait for the signals to become unignorable.

Why an ANA test isn’t enough

The ANA (antinuclear antibody) test is often the first lab ordered to check for autoimmunity—but a positive ANA result is only a starting point. It doesn’t provide a diagnosis. And a negative test doesn’t rule out autoimmune disease.

Many primary care providers may stop testing after ANA—even when symptoms persist. But during that waiting game, an autoimmune condition may be quietly progressing.

The power of advanced autoimmunity testing

Beyond simply screening for ANA, comprehensive autoimmune testing can help:

• Detect autoimmunity earlier
• Monitor disease progression
• Match lifestyle interventions to your physiology
• Determine treatment effectiveness

Function offers extended autoimmunity testing as an optional enhancement to the annual Function membership—available for an additional cost. By testing 26 key autoimmune markers, this testing can help uncover root causes and reveal patterns that may be previously missed:

• Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) Screen, IFA
• DNA (ds) Antibody, Crithidia IFA
• Chromatin (Nucleosomal) Antibody
• Sm Antibody
• Sm/RNP Antibody
• RNP Antibody
• Sjogren's Antibody (SS-A)
• Sjogren's Antibody (SS-B)
• Scleroderma Antibody (Scl-70)
• Jo-1 Antibody
• Centromere B Antibody
• Complement Component C3c
• Complement Component C4c
• Cardiolipin Antibodies (IgA, IgG, IgM)
• Beta-2-Glycoprotein Antibodies (IgG, IgA, IgM)
• Rheumatoid Factor (IgA, IgG, IgM)
• Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide (CCP) Antibody (IgG)
• Mutated Citrullinated Vimentin (MCV) Antibody
• Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPO)
• Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)

How to take action

1. Track symptoms with a journal (fatigue patterns, rashes, joint pain, etc).

2. Access extended autoimmunity testing to get answers to persistent symptoms.

3. Adjust your lifestyle: Reduce toxin exposure, prioritize anti-inflammatory foods, and restore gut health. You might also try an autoimmune protocol diet (AIP), a short-term elimination plan to reduce inflammation and identify food triggers.

Takeaway

Early autoimmune disease can look like fatigue, rashes, mood swings, or joint pain—but underneath, your immune system could be silently attacking your own tissues. And because the journey to diagnosis is often long and unclear, you can’t afford to wait until things get worse.

With the right testing and lifestyle interventions—like autoimmune biomarker tests, anti-inflammatory and gut-healing foods, and an autoimmune protocol (AIP) diet, you can uncover issues early, reduce symptom severity,  and take control of your future health.

Function offers access to advanced autoimmune tests that go far beyond ANA—empowering you to get answers, share them with your healthcare provider, and shape your own care path.