| There is a wealth of information available out there | | | | pinpoints where in your body is the inflammation. This |
| about rheumatoid arthritis and you can start you | | | | test is not only limited to determine rheumatoid |
| search online or go through medical books. You can | | | | arthritis but it helps in all types of diagnosis. |
| find all sorts of helpful information about how this | | | | C-Reactive Protein is the second type of blood test |
| ailment is treated and even find alternative | | | | to check for rheumatoid arthritis. This test is almost |
| treatments. You can even go as far as diagnosing | | | | similar to ESR in that it can be a helpful diagnostic |
| yourself to check if you are showing the symptoms | | | | tool and detects irritation in your body. |
| of RA. But it's always safe to check for accuracy | | | | The next test is called Rheumatoid Factor test which |
| and validity which is why getting a blood test for | | | | is effective 70%- 90% of the time for rheumatoid |
| rheumatoid arthritis is necessary. | | | | arthritis patients. The only big issue about this test is |
| Getting Tested | | | | that it only detects rheumatoid arthritis on the |
| There are different kinds of blood tests for RA and | | | | severe level. |
| the results can give you information that can be very | | | | The last test is Plasma Velocity which is fast replacing |
| useful for diagnostic evaluation and especially | | | | the ESR method. The best feature of this test is |
| recommendations on how it can be treated. What | | | | that it uses fewer variables that can affect the |
| the blood test does is that it finds the disease in | | | | result. This means it is more accurate because it |
| your system and affirms if you do in fact have | | | | gives a closer look on the blood plasma protein |
| rheumatoid arthritis. Through these blood tests you | | | | content. |
| can get an accurate diagnosis because having these | | | | The Importance of Blood Testing |
| tests are crucial indicators to find out about a | | | | A physician will perform more than one type of blood |
| patient's condition. | | | | test to their patient in order to get a clearer |
| Blood Test Types | | | | diagnosis. These tests have been proven effective |
| The are four different types of blood tests | | | | and necessary for rheumatoid arthritis patients. It has |
| performed for those who want to know the source | | | | been a standard procedure being done in most |
| of their symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Here are | | | | hospitals and laboratories as a helpful aid for doctors |
| some helpful descriptions of each of them. | | | | to determine the source of a patient's symptoms. |
| The first type of blood test is called Erythrocite | | | | Before going through a blood test or any kind of |
| Sedimentation Rate or ESR which determines how | | | | procedure is to get some information on how to |
| much inflammation you have in your body. This test | | | | prepare for it. It is the duty of every medical |
| is performed by letting the blood flow downwards | | | | technician to give you specific instructions on |
| and the rate at which it falls determines the | | | | preparing yourself for a blood test for rheumatoid |
| inflammation. The faster blood flows down, the | | | | arthritis and it is your job to follow them precisely for |
| higher the inflammation. The healthier you are the | | | | your own benefit. |
| slower your blood falls. Using this type of test | | | | |