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Autoimmunity

Autoimmune diseases affect every person differently, making them incredibly difficult to diagnose.

 

Finding answers, getting results

If you’re searching for answers, turn to the leading autoimmune experts of Allegheny Health Network. We have the expertise and tools to make the toughest diagnoses.

What is an autoimmune disease?

When your body’s immune system stops working properly and mistakenly attacks healthy body tissues, it can cause an autoimmune disease.

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    Types of autoimmunity


    There are over 100 autoimmune diseases. Some are common, such as rheumatoid arthritis, while others are rare, such as relapsing polychondritis. No matter which autoimmune disease may affect you, we’re here to help.

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    Our unique approach


    By focusing on coordinated care and promoting collaboration among teams of experts, we diagnose and treat illnesses as soon as possible. Our full-time research team constantly looks for new tools to fight autoimmune diseases.

A group shot of AHN leadership and physicians inside one of the updated autoimmune facilities cutting the ribbon to mark it as open.

Four Centers of Excellence and physicians from 15 different specialties

Our team improves the lives of people through precise diagnosis, effective treatment and research toward a cure. We offer dedicated Centers of Excellence in four diseases: Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Celiac Disease and Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

A new approach to autoimmune disease care

Our institute is the first of its kind in the world. We are rethinking how people with autoimmune disorders receive care, while raising the bar for that care.

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    Coordinated care


    From medical records to medication lists, our specialists coordinate your comprehensive care plan and address all the ways your autoimmune disease may affect your health.

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    Convenience


    At the Autoimmunity Institute, you can see more than one specialist in a single visit. Our physicians care for patients in locations throughout western Pennsylvania.

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    Focus on research


    Our full-time research team studies promising new therapies and better laboratory tests to diagnose, monitor and treat autoimmune diseases more quickly and accurately.

Featured Services

Our physicians are experts in over 100 autoimmune diseases. Our team can provide precise diagnosis and expert treatment in the following specializations:

  • Allergy and Immunology


    Get complete diagnostic and thorough treatment services for allergies, asthma and any other autoimmune diseases that affect you in one place.

  • Cardiology


    Certain autoimmune diseases may affect your heart. Our cardiologists will closely track your heart function and help you to improve your overall health.

  • Dermatology


    Our dermatologists are specially trained to care for people with autoimmune related skin concerns, including rare types of rashes and lesions.

  • Endocrinology


    Our team includes endocrinologists who specialize in complex autoimmune thyroid conditions, such as Graves disease and Hashimoto's disease.

  • Gastroenterology


    We've transformed how people with celiac and inflammatory bowel disease receive care. Meet the team that will improve your digestive health.

  • Genetics


    Your genes will give us your body's full story. We use the latest genetic tests to better inform treatment for your specific autoimmune disease.

  • Nephrology


    Our nephrologists have decades of experience caring for autoimmune kidney conditions such as glomerulonephritis, an acute inflammation of the kidney.

  • Neurology


    Autoimmune disorders affect the nervous systems in many ways. See how our experts listen to patients and provide effective treatment for symptoms.

  • Psychology


    Allegheny Health Network's behavioral health providers can help you cope with the challenges of living with an autoimmune disease.

  • Psychiatry


    Get mental health support from one of our psychiatrists. They understand the emotional hurdles that often come with having an autoimmune disorder.

  • Pulmonology


    Some autoimmune diseases attack the lungs. Our pulmonologists have special training to diagnose and treat these problems so you can breathe easier.

  • Rheumatology


    More than two decades of lupus research have led to better blood tests to help us get you the right diagnosis, so you can begin treatment faster.

  • Clinical pharmacology


    Get relief from treatment side effects. Our clinical pharmacology program offers you the most effective treatment with the least negative impact.

Out-of-town patient lodging

AHN partners with a non-profit organization, Family House to provide affordable “home away from home” lodging options for patients receiving medical care.

Autoimmunity Institute

As a world-class, first-of-its-kind facility, the AHN Autoimmunity Institute has exam rooms, an infusion suite, and a research team all in one newly designed, transformative space.

Are you a health care professional?

We are continually researching new ways to prevent, detect, and treat disease. Find specialists for your patient and discover educational opportunities for you.