The doctor usually begins by asking the person about his or her medical history. Important factors are a family history of vitiligo; a rash, sunburn, or other skin trauma at the site of vitiligo 2 to 3 months before depigmentation started; stress or physical illness.
The doctor will need to know if the patient or anyone in the patient's family has any autoimmune diseases and whether the patient is very sensitive to the sun.
The doctor may take a small sample (biopsy) of the affected skin.
He or she may also take a blood sample.
Typical lab work for vitiligo includes all or part of the following tests:
- ANA (Antinuclear Antibody) This test helps determine if the patient has other autoimmune diseases.
- Thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) -Thyroid antibody testing is primarily ordered to help diagnose an autoimmune thyroid disease and to separate it from other forms of thyroiditis.
- CBC with differential,
- comprehensive metabolic panel,
- thyroid panel including Free T3, Free T4 and TSH
- lupus panel
- 25-Hydroxy-Vitamin D
- folate/B12
The doctor may also use a Woods light to confirm vitiligo as vitiligo will glow under this light.
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