Why Is It So Hard to Get an Autoimmune Disease Diagnosis?

Getting an autoimmune disease diagnosis can feel like solving a medical mystery. In this powerful interview, we explore why so many people struggle for years before finally receiving answers. From vague symptoms and misdiagnoses to medical gaslighting and gaps in conventional testing, we break down the challenges of getting properly diagnosed—and what you can do to advocate for yourself along the way. If you've ever felt dismissed or overlooked by the healthcare system, this episode is for you. I talk with a medical expert on the science of autoimmune disease diagnosis about why doctors can have such a hard time with autoimmune disease diagnoses.  Tyler O'Malley serves as Associate VP of Clinical Affairs & Market Access at Exagen Inc., a leader in autoimmune testing solutions. In his role, he oversees clinical trials, bioinformatics, and medical policy development for Exagen's current diagnostic portfolio and pipeline of proprietary solutions. With more than a decade of experience, O'Malley has contributed to more than a dozen clinical trials, focusing on clinical validity and utility evidence for autoimmune diagnostics. His expertise is widely recognized, with numerous publications in esteemed peer-reviewed journals. Notably, he is the first author of one of the largest clinical utility studies in lupus diagnostics. O'Malley graduated from Georgia Gwinnett College with a Bachelor of Science in biology, concentrating in biochemistry. His eleven-year career in Research and Development and Medical Affairs encompassed medical science education, assay development, and clinical research coordination. http://exagen.com Website for this episode: http://autoimmunerehab.com Youtube channel: https://youtube.com/c/annalaurabrownhealthcoach