1. Take a Rheumatoid Factor Test
The rheumatoid factor is a specific antibody that is present in 80 percent of people with rheumatoid arthritis. This antibody forms immune complexes in the body that contribute to the autoimmune reaction against the linings of the joints that is the hallmark of rheumatoid arthritis. The presence of the rheumatoid factor can be determined through a simple blood test ordered by your doctor. However, about 20 percent of people with other symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis will test negative for this antibody any time they are tested, and children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis typically test negative for the rheumatoid factor.
2. Have Your Sedimentation Rate Tested
The sedimentation rate test measures the amount of inflammation present in a person's system. The higher the sedimentation rate, the greater the inflammation. The degree of inflammation that is present can show how active rheumatoid arthritis is in a person. To test the sedimentation rate, a sample of blood is drawn and placed in an upright test tube. The rate at which the red blood cells fall to the bottom of the tube is measured over the course of an hour. Typically, any sedimentation rate over 20 millimeters an hour is indicative of the presence of inflammation.
3. Look for Symmetry
In rheumatoid arthritis, when joints swell and become tender and inflamed, they typically do so on both sides of the body. This symmetry is usually only present in adult rheumatoid arthritis. Children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis will often have a more random pattern of affected joints.
4. Watch for General Feelings of Malaise
Flu-like symptoms, such as fatigue and a low-grade fever, are very common in rheumatoid arthritis, especially in the early stages of the disease. Many people who have just been diagnosed or who are awaiting a diagnosis report fevers of up to 101 degrees F, especially at night, and may be tired all the time. This is due to the body summoning its resources to try to fight off the linings of the joints, which are perceived by the immune system as foreign matter. Once treatment is begun and is successful, these symptoms usually start to disappear.
