What Is a Arthritis Panel?
There are more than 100 different conditions that are considered forms of arthritis. While some very specific blood tests are done for rarer forms of the disease, an arthritis panel is a standard series of tests given when a form of arthritis is suspected.
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C-reactive Protein
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C-reactive protein (CRP) is produced in the liver when there is inflammation within the body. A CRP blood test identifies that there has been inflammation -- a key component in most forms of arthritis. The test cannot determine exactly where the inflammation is but is helpful in diagnosing some forms of arthritis, including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and gout.
Rheumatoid Factor
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A test can measure the rheumatoid factor within blood. This antibody attaches to immunoglobulin G in the body and is not often present in a healthy individual. This test is used to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis because nearly 80 percent of adults with the disease have a presence of rheumatoid factor. It can also be present in those with lupus.
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Antinuclear Antibody
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Antinuclear antibody (ANA) attacks structures in the nuclei of the body's cells. The ANA blood test checks for levels of this antibody. It is often present in those with autoimmune diseases, where the body's immune system causes inflammation, destroying joint tissue. The ANA test helps in diagnosing autoimmune forms of arthritis, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
Uric Acid Test
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Uric acid is a crystalline substance which forms from purines found in tissue. Uric acid is excreted by the kidneys. When not enough is eliminated from the body, increased uric acid levels show in the blood. Patients who have these elevated levels of uric acid often have joint pain. If the levels of uric acid are very high, sodium monourate crystals can collect in joint fluid and cause gout.
Fibrinogen
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The liver synthesizes fibrinogen, a soluble protein, before it circulates it in blood. The fibrinogen analysis will measure the concentration of this protein in the blood. The level of fibrinogen can indicate inflammation or destruction of tissues within the body. It is used as a general diagnostic tool for many forms of arthritis.
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate
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The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) monitors inflammation in the body. The level of fibrinogen will correlate with the ESR, so a condition that elevates fibrinogen can also raise the ESR. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate is used to help diagnosis many different diseases. The rate can be raised in healthy individuals (especially women and the elderly), but it is also helpful in identifying forms of arthritis.
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