Patients

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Exagen Diagnostics?

Exagen Diagnostics is a biotechnology company dedicated to helping patients who suffer from conditions that can cause pain and poor quality of life. By offering Avise personalized medicine services, we provide objective information about your specific condition which can help your doctor make important decisions about your treatment. All Avise testing is performed in San Diego, CA at our certified medical laboratory.

How do I order an Avise PG, Avise MCV or Avise SLE test?

Avise tests are ordered by your physician. If you feel an Avise test might benefit you, consult your doctor to determine if Avise testing is appropriate for you.

What is the Avise testing process?

You cannot request Avise testing directly, so you will need to find out from your doctor if Avise testing is appropriate for you. Office staff at your doctor’s office will give you instructions on how to get the test performed. In some cases, your blood sample will be collected at your doctor’s office; in other cases, you will need to visit a lab to have your sample drawn. All blood samples for Avise testing are sent to Exagen Diagnostics in San Diego, California for processing.

Why did my doctor order Avise PG and or Avise MCV testing for me?

Your physician may have ordered Avise testing if you have or are suspected of having rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or, if you have been taking methotrexate for your RA and are not getting enough relief.

Avise PG℠ is a specialized blood testing service that measures how well your body metabolizes methotrexate. With Avise PG results, your doctor can decide whether you’re on the right dose of methotrexate, whether you just need to give it more time to work, or if other treatment options need to be considered.

Avise MCV℠ is a specialized lab blood testing service that can help accurately diagnose RA. In addition, Avise MCV has been shown to be useful in identifying those individuals who might be prone to more aggressive RA.

Why did my doctor order Avise SLE testing for me?

Your physician may have ordered Avise testing if you have or are suspected of having Lupus. Lupus can be particularly difficult to diagnose, but Avise SLE™ was specially developed to help your physician overcome common diagnosis hurdles. Avise SLE is a specialized diagnostic panel that is made up of 5 individual tests to help rule-in lupus and rule-out other rheumatic diseases. By using multiple tests and cutting-edge cell-bound complements, Avise SLE helps physicians establish a more accurate diagnosis because of the high levels of sensitivity and specificity that Avise SLE provides.