What is HLA-B27 Blood Test?

HLA-B27 stands for human leukocyte antigen B27. This HLA-B27 is a blood test to check for a specific protein on your white blood cell that could trigger an auto-immune disease such as Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS).

Most of the HLA (antigen) protects the body from harm but HLA-B27 is just the opposite. It will contribute to the dysfunction of your immune system.

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Even though HLA-B27 is responsible for several diseases such as Ankylosing Spondylitis, Reactive arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, mainly it is more associated with Ankylosing Spondylitis.

When you consult the doctor for the symptoms of joint pain, stiffness or swelling in spine, neck or chest, he might ask you to go for HLA-B27 blood test.

Don’t Panic

If it comes as positive, don’t panic. The result shows that HLA-B27 antigen exists in your blood. However, it does not mean that you will develop an auto-immune disease. Besides this test, further tests of X-Ray, MRI and UV are required to confirm that you indeed have an auto-immune disease such as AS.

Ask Your Doctor

If your doctor does not prescribe for the HLA-B27 test, you must ask him to do so. The reason is when you have an auto-immune disease but no HLA-B27, your treatment and management of that auto-immune disease is easier since your body is not going to work against you and your recovery.

Know The Result

Also, knowing the result of the HLA-B27 test is good to manage your children health. If it is positive, you may monitor your son’s or daughter’s activities. If they struggle with stiffness or pain in the lower back, you may consult with the doctor immediately.

As you already know that this site is mainly focused on Ankylosing Spondylitis and HLA-B27, I am going to write more on this combination in terms of medication, alternative medicines, exercises, and diet.

Further Reading

I will go into the details of basic medication of Ankylosing Spondylitis in my next post.

If you haven’t read my other post about Ankylosing Spondylitis, please read here.