Arthritis & Lupus Tests Ordered by my Rheumy!!

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http://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/guide/blood-tests

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is-early

http://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/guide/blood-tests

http://arthritis.webmd.com/rheumatoid-factor-rf

Rheumatoid Arthritis - Exams and Tests

No single lab test can diagnose rheumatoid arthritis. Instead, rheumatoid

arthritis is diagnosed by symptoms and physical signs and by eliminating other

diseases that can cause similar symptoms. Physical signs include joint swelling

or tenderness. Symptoms that help in diagnosis are stiffness and pain in the

same joints on both sides of the body (symmetrical), morning stiffness, and

development of rheumatoid nodules.

A medical history and physical examination are usually done to help determine

the cause of joint pain. The pattern and nature of joint signs and symptoms are

the most important clues to the diagnosis.

Diagnosis is based on a set of classification criteria for rheumatoid

arthritis. The following tests may be done to evaluate your symptoms, to rule

out other problems, or to monitor treatment.

Complete blood count (CBC)

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (may help to assess disease activity)

C-reactive protein (may help to assess disease activity)

Rheumatoid factor (RF)

Antinuclear antibody assay (ANA)

Anti-CCP (cyclic citrullinated peptide) antibody test (helps confirm

diagnosis and may show your risk of having severe symptoms)

Joint fluid analysis

Tissue type (human leukocyte antigen) test

X-rays (see illustrations of X-rays showing rheumatoid arthritis in the feet

and rheumatoid arthritis of the hands)

Other tests may be done to check for side effects of treatment. These tests

may include:

Kidney function tests.

Liver and muscle enzyme tests.

Bone density test to check for bone loss (osteoporosis).

Eye examination.

Since rheumatoid arthritis can lead to severe joint destruction and disability

over time, regular evaluation by a health professional is important to determine

whether current treatment is working or needs to be adjusted.

http://www.webmd.com/hw-popup/autoimmune-disease

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