Green Eyes:

There is an enzyme that RA makes in the body and if you have RA a simple blood test will find it.

★☆W.a.b.b.y✿❀:

A diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis or RA is made by a rheumatologist. It’s made based on symptoms, blood tests and other tests.

Your GP should be able to order some blood tests. These do not rule out anything, but if they’re positive it helps the doctors know what’s going on. They’ll usually order ESR and CRP. These are blood tests that’ll measure the quantity of inflammation in your blood. ESR and CRP is not always elevated in RA, but it’s a excellent indicator of inflammation in the joints. They should also order the ANA test (antinuclear antibody). This is establish in people with Lupus and other connective bandanna diseases. It can be elevated for no reason or because of an autoimmune disease. If it’s elevated the rheumatologist may order more blood tests. They should also order the Rheumatoid Factor. It’s positive in about two thirds of people with RA, but if it’s negative it doesn’t mean you don’t have RA and if it’s elevated it doesn’t mean you have it any. The huge test is anti-CCP. If it’s elevated, you most certainly have RA, but if it’s negative then you may still have RA. The other tests they should do is ferretin (iron) and complete blood count.

So…
ESR (Sed Rate)
CRP (C-Reactor Protein)
ANA
Rheumatoid Factor
Anti-CCP
Ferretin
Complete Blood Count.

Question for the consequences of your blood tests.

Your GP should write a referral (if your insurance requires one) to a rheumatologist (roo-mar-toll-o-gist). They specialise in autoimmune diseases and arthritis.

I’d also recommend asking your doctor to do x-rays of at least your feet. This is where hurt occurs first if it’s going to occur.

A rheumatologist will examine your joints and see if they can feel any puffiness and fluid. They’ll look at your range of movement. You’ll also be questioned questions like “what helps your symptoms?” “what makes it worse?” “do you experience any stiffness? And for how long?”.

If your rheumatologist is struggling to make a diagnosis, they may choose to aspirate your joints. This involves taking the fluid out with a needle and sending it off to be analysed. They may send you for a bone scan, this looks for any inflammation and joint changes in a far more detail than an x-ray. If you have any rashes, they may take a biopsy of them. Some doctors might diagnose you based on how you respond to different medications too.

Excellent luck, I hope you don’t have RA.

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