Arthritis is a general term that describes over 100 conditions. If you think you have arthritis it is important to see your doctor to be properly diagnosed. Different types of arthritis call for different treatment programs. Two of the more common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. While osteoarthritis is diagnosed through the use of X-rays or scans, rheumatoid arthritis or RA is diagnosed in part through blood tests. If you suspect you have RA, these blood tests are important as the earlier you catch it, the sooner you can start treatment for your symptoms.
Identification
Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the lining in your joints becomes inflamed. It is a chronic disease that falls within the category of autoimmune diseases. This means that your body's defense system is attacking itself. As this damage occurs it causes pain, stiffness and sometimes joint deformity. RA usually progresses in stages and your doctor can preform blood tests to help determine if you have this disease and how active your condition is. Blood test can also help to determine if your treatment program is successful.
Considerations
According to the Arthritis Foundation, making a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis is a process. Having a blood test is not the only way to determine if you have rheumatoid arthritis. It must be used in conjunction with a through medical exam that includes going through your medical history and a physical exam. It may take months before your doctor can interpret your symptoms along with blood test results in order to make a proper diagnosis.
Types
Your doctor can test your total blood count to determine your overall health and if you show signs of rheumatoid arthritis. There is also a test called the erythrocyte sedimentation rate. An ESR test measures how fast your red blood cells fall to the bottom of a test tube. C-reactive protein (CRP) which shows the activity of the immune system is also used along with testing for rheumatoid factor (RF).
Significance
If you have RA your total blood test may show a low red blood count. This means that you could potentially have anemia which is common in those with RA. The more severe your RA the more advanced your anemia will be. Higher ESR and CRP rates signal inflammation in the body and could indicate that your RA is more active. The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases states that the rheumatoid factor is an antibody present in the blood in approximately seventy five percent of all patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Some people with RA test positive fro RF while some people who have RA test negative. In addition, you can test positive for RF and never get rheumatoid arthritis. If you have RA the higher your level of rheumatoid factor the more active your condition is.
Benefits
According to the American College of Rheumatology, diagnosing RA is challenging. It often starts with vague symptoms that could be related to many conditions. In addition, X-rays and scans may not show joint damage until the disease has begun to progress. However, if general symptoms exist, then having blood tests that result in positive outcomes as described above are important. The blood tests can help your doctor to diagnose RA early on and begin treatment right away.
