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Rheumatoid Arthritis - Exams and Tests
- Overview
-
Health Tools
- FAQs
- Cause
- Symptoms
- What Happens
- What Increases Your Risk
- When to Call a Doctor
- Exams and Tests
- Treatment Overview
- Living With Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Medications
- Surgery
- Other Treatment
- Other Places To Get Help
- Related Information
- References
- Credits
No single lab test can diagnose rheumatoid arthritis. Instead, doctors look at symptoms and physical signs and then rule out other diseases that can cause similar symptoms.
A medical history and physical exam are usually done to help find the cause of joint pain. The pattern and nature of joint symptoms are the most important clues to the diagnosis.
Diagnosis is based on a set of classification criteria. The following tests may be done:
- Complete blood count
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (may help to assess disease activity)
- C-reactive protein (may help to assess disease activity)
- Rheumatoid factor
- Antinuclear antibody assay
- Anti-CCP (cyclic citrullinated peptide) antibody test (helps confirm diagnosis and may show your risk of having severe symptoms)
- Joint fluid analysis
- Tissue type test
- X-rays (see X-ray images of
rheumatoid arthritis in the feet
and
in 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 exam.
Regular checkups
Because rheumatoid arthritis can lead to severe joint destruction and disability over time, regular checkups are important to see if treatment is working or needs to be adjusted.
More information |
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: April 14, 2011 |
| Medical Review: | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine Stanford M. Shoor, MD - Rheumatology | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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