As you age, your joints can become stiff and painful—a condition known as arthritis. Though there are several types of arthritis, they all share the same symptoms. To properly diagnose and treat the condition, it is important to understand what blood tests reveal about arthritis.
Types of Tests for Arthritis
The type of test used to diagnose arthritis will depend on the type of arthritis being tested for. A complete blood count (CBC) measures components in the blood that can indicate whether inflammation is present in your body. This test is used as an initial screening tool for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It can also be used to measure how well a treatment plan is working by looking at changes in levels over time.
Another common test for RA is the C-reactive protein (CRP) test, which measures the amount of protein produced in response to inflammation. If a CBC shows signs of inflammation but does not provide enough information, then a CRP test may be ordered to confirm or rule out an RA diagnosis. In cases where RA is suspected but has not been confirmed, both tests may be ordered together to get a more comprehensive overview of a person’s health status.
People with osteoarthritis (OA) typically do not require any specific tests beyond a physical examination and imaging studies such as X-rays or MRI scans. However, if OA symptoms are severe or persistent, doctors may order blood tests such as an ANA panel or a rheumatoid factor (RF) assay to rule out other forms of inflammatory arthritis including RA and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). An ANA panel looks for antibodies in the blood that could indicate autoimmune disease while an RF assay measures the level of autoantibodies present in the body—high levels could indicate RA or other forms of inflammatory arthritis such as PsA.
Blood testing plays an important role in diagnosing and managing many types of arthritis including rheumatoid and psoriatic arthrits. For women over 40 who are experiencing joint pain and stiffness, it’s important to talk to your doctor about potential causes and any recommended tests that may help inform their diagnosis. With proper screening tools like CBCs and CRPs, you can gain insight into what might be causing your joint pain so that you can get on track toward feeling better soon!
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Disclaimer: The information in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Please consult with a healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet or lifestyle.
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