Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) : Tests

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A specific blood test is available for diagnosing RA and distinguishing it from other types of arthritis. It is called the anti-CCP antibody test. Other tests that may be done include: Complete blood count; C-reactive protein; Erythrocyte sediment...
Source:ADAM
Date:July 27, 2007
There are no tests available that can absolutely diagnose RA. Instead, a number of tests exist that can suggest the diagnosis of RA. Blood tests include a special test of red blood cells (called erythrocyte sedimentation rate), which is positive i...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
There are no tests available that can absolutely diagnose RA. Instead, a number of tests exist that can suggest the diagnosis of RA. Blood tests include a special test of red blood cells, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, which is positive in ne...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine
In addition to the important characteristic pattern of symptoms, many tests may be used to support the diagnosis. Laboratory tests may include rheumatoid factor, white blood cell count, a blood test for anemia, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR,...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Genetic Disorders Part II
A complete blood count (CBC) test measures the following: The number of red blood cells (RBCs) The number of white blood cells (WBCs) The total amount of hemoglobin in the blood The fraction of the blood composed of red blood cells ( hematocrit ) The mean corpuscular volume (MCV) -- the size of the red blood cells CBC also includes information about the red blood cells that is calculated from the other measurements: MCH (mean corpuscular hemoglobin) MCHC (mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration) The platelet count is also usually included in the CBC.
Source:ADAM
Date:September 11, 2006
One of the most commonly ordered clinical laboratory tests, a blood count, also called a complete blood count (CBC), is a basic evaluation of the cells (red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets) suspended in the liquid part of the blood (plasma). It involves determining the numbers, concentrations, and conditions of the different types of blood cells.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
A complete blood count (CBC) is a series of tests used to evaluate the composition and concentration of the cellular components of blood. It consists of the following tests: red blood cell (RBC) count, white blood cell (WBC) count, and platelet count; measurement of hemoglobin and mean red cell volume; classification of white blood cells (WBC differential); and calculation of hematocrit and red blood cell indices .
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health
The clinical laboratory test that evaluates the three main cellular components of peripheral blood (red cells, white cells, and platelets) is called the " complete blood count " (CBC). It is used commonly to assess whether a patient is anemic (low red cell count), has an infection (increased white blood cells), or has abnormal blood coagulation (platelet levels).
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Public Health
A complete blood count (CBC) is a series of tests used to evaluate the composition and concentration of the cellular components of blood. It consists of the following tests: red blood cell (RBC) count, white blood cell (WBC) count, and platelet count; measurement of hemoglobin and mean red cell volume; classification of white blood cells (WBC differential); and calculation of hematocrit and red blood cell indices .
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Surgery
C-reactive protein is a test that measures the concentration of a protein in serum that indicates acute inflammation.
Source:ADAM
Date:January 16, 2007
The high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) test is a blood assay used to estimate an individual ' s risk for heart disease and stroke . The test also measures the presence of inflammation or infection.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine
ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) is a nonspecific screening test for various diseases. This 1-hour test measures the distance (in millimeters) that red blood cells settle in unclotted blood toward the bottom of a specially marked test tube.
Source:ADAM
Date:June 18, 2007
The sedimentation rate test, also called the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) or sed rate test, measures the speed at which the red blood cells (erythrocytes or RBCs) separate from the liquid part of the blood (plasma) and settle to the bottom in a tube of anticoagulated blood. Purpose The sedimentation rate is a non-specific indicator of the presence of inflammation or infection .
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health
The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), or sedimentation rate (sed rate), is a measure of the settling of red blood cells in a tube of blood during one hour. The rate is an indication of inflammation and increases in many diseases.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
X-rays of the extremities (the hand, wrist, foot, and ankle) are images of internal structures. X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation like light, but of higher energy, so they can penetrate the body to form an image on film. Structures that are dense (such as bone) will appear white, air will be black, and other structures will be shades of gray. (See also bone x-ray .)
Source:ADAM
Date:October 23, 2006
A hand x-ray is an examination involving images of one or both hands. X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation like light, but of higher energy, so they can penetrate the body to form an image on film. Structures that are dense (such as bone) will appear white, air will be black, and other structures will be shades of gray.
Source:ADAM
Date:January 24, 2007
The hematocrit is the percent of whole blood that is composed of red blood cells. The hematocrit is a measure of both the number of red blood cells and the size of red blood cells. The hematocrit is almost always ordered as part of a complete blood count , which measures the number of red blood cells, the number of white blood cells, the total amount of hemoglobin in the blood, and the fraction of the blood composed of red blood cells (hematocrit).
Source:ADAM
Date:March 8, 2007
Blood has a liquid component (plasma) and a particulate component (blood cells). The denser blood cells (most of which are red blood cells) will settle in a tube, particularly if the blood is spun in a device called a centrifuge.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Public Health
The hematocrit measures how much space in the blood is occupied by red blood cells. It is useful when evaluating a person for anemia.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
During a physical examination, a health care provider studies a patient's body to determine the presence or absence of physical problems. A typical physical examination includes: Inspection (looking at the body) Palpation (feeling the body with hands) Auscultation (listening to sounds) Percussion (producing sounds)
Source:ADAM
Date:January 22, 2007
Arthrograpy is a procedure involving multiple x rays of a joint using a fluoroscope, or a special piece of x-ray equipment which shows an immediate x-ray image. A contrast medium (in this case, a contrast iodine solution) injected into the joint area helps highlight structures of the joint.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
ArthrogramAnarthrogramis an imaging study used to assess your joint problem. Contrast fluid is injected into the joint being studied.
Source:StayWell
Arthrography is the radiologic examination of soft tissue structures in the joints following an injection of a contrast agent with or without air. The structures demonstrated are the menisci, ligaments, tendons, articular cartilage, and bursae.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health
Arthrograpy is a procedure involving multiple x rays of a joint using a fluoroscope, a special piece of x-ray equipment that shows an immediate x-ray image. A contrast medium (in this case, a contrast iodine solution) injected into the joint area helps highlight structures of the joint.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Surgery
This test is an x-ray of a knee, shoulder, hip, wrist, ankle, or other joint.
Source:ADAM
Date:March 24, 2008
This is a test that measures the presence and level of rheumatoid factor (RF) in the blood.
Source:ADAM
Date:May 27, 2007
The RF is an antibody detectable in the blood in about 70 percent of persons with rheumatoid arthritis but can often be found in other people as well. In fact, healthy people with no arthritis and no medical problems at all make tiny amounts of this antibody.
Source:StayWell
Synovial fluid analysis is a battery of tests performed on synovial (joint) fluid to help diagnose and treat joint-related abnormalities.
Source:ADAM
Date:May 6, 2007
Joint fluid analysis, also called synovial fluid analysis, or arthrocentesis, is a procedure used to assess joint-related abnormalities, such as occur in the knee or elbow. Synovial or joint fluid is an ultrafiltrate of plasma formed in the synovial membrane of movable joints.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health
Joint fluid analysis, also called synovial fluid analysis, or arthrocentesis, is a procedure used to assess joint-related abnormalities, such as in the knee or elbow. Purpose The purpose of a joint fluid analysis is to identify the cause of swelling in the joints, to relieve pain and distention from fluid accumulation in the joint, and to diagnose certain types of arthritis and inflammatory joint diseases.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
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