Arthritis diagnosis information, blood tests, and other diagnostic tests. Physical examination and diagnostic tests, along with a patient's clinical picture, help to formulate an accurate diagnosis.
Arthrography is an imaging technique that utilizes contrast dye so that certain structures of the joints that aren't readily seen on traditional X-rays can be seen. Arthrography helps detect joint damage and problems with surrounding structures.
Thermal imaging cameras are being used to detect arthritis. Though the imaging method is not yet more popular than standard diagnostic methods, thermal imaging cameras may have a place in detecting early arthritis.
Arthritis is a complicated disease with many different types. To accurately diagnose arthritis, a medical history, physical examination, laboratory tests, and medical imaging are involved.
Joint fluid analysis can reveal valuable information to your doctor. Joint fluid analysis is a diagnostic procedure used to determine the cause of joint swelling.
Early diagnosis of arthritis sets the stage for a proper treatment plan. Don't self-treat until you are properly diagnosed.
Kidney problems or kidney dysfunction can be determined by specific blood tests or urine tests.
Joint effusion is a symptom of arthritis. It is an abnormal buildup of joint fluid.
Lab tests are valuable diagnostic tools. When used together with the patient's medical history and clinical evidence, a doctor can begin to formulate a diagnosis and treatment plan. Do you know about the different lab tests and what they mean?
An in-depth report on the blood tests used for evaluating arthritis.
Blood tests are used to monitor the effectiveness of arthritis treatments and any problems which may be occurring, such as toxicity.
Do normal blood test results rule out rheumatoid arthritis or other rheumatic disease diagnosis?
Doctors routinely order liver blood tests to detect potential problems with liver function, a possible side effect of arthritis medications.
X-rays have long been a useful tool in diagnosing and monitoring arthritis. Are MRI scans becoming a more valuable tool?
ANA is a lab test performed on blood. The presence of ANA can be associated with several of the autoimmunes diseases.
An in-depth report and explanation of the significance of rheumatoid factor.
Blood tests help rheumatologists diagnose and monitor arthritis, but clinical symptoms are an important aspect too.
An in-depth report on CRP (C-Reactive Protein).
Anti-CCP is a diagnostic test for rheumatoid arthritis.
What is a comorbid condition? Do most people with arthritis have a comorbid condition? Does it make them harder to treat?
When told that they have a positive rheumatoid factor, patients often assume they have developed rheumatoid arthritis. Is that the case?
Platelet counts are often elevated in inflammatory conditions.
80% of adults with rheumatoid arthritis test positive for rheumatoid factor (seropositive). What was your result?
A brief explantion and fast facts about joint fluid aspiration (arthrocentesis).
A brief explanation of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
Scientists at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle have developed a new diagnostic test for lupus which will improve detection of the autoimmune disease.
A brief explanation of C-Reactive Protein (CRP).
This is a test that measures the temperature of each finger after being submerged in an ice-water bath.
This is a blood test that measures complement activity or the concentration of complement components in serum.
A brief explanation and fast facts about the complete blood count (CBC).
A brief explanation and fast facts about joint fluid cultures.
A brief explanation and fast facts about synovial fluid analysis.
A brief explanation and fast facts about the serum creatinine test.
A brief explanation and fast facts about the urine creatinine test.
A brief explanation and fast facts about the alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme test.
A brief explanation and fast facts about the bone scan test.
A brief explanation and fast facts about the (BMD)bone mineral density test.
A brief explanation and fast facts about the (CRP) C-reactive protein teset.
A brief explanation and fast facts about the ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) test.
A brief explanation and fast facts about skeletal x-rays.
A brief explanation and fast facst about the rheumatoid factor (RF) test.
A hand X-ray is an examination involving images of one or both hands.
A pelvis X-ray is an examination involving images of the bones of the lower torso. The X-ray is used to detect fractures, tumors, or degenerative conditions of bones in the hips, pelvis, and upper legs.
The neck X-ray involves the 7 cervical (neck) vertebrae that are separated by flat pads of cartilage which cushion the vertebrae.
In a typical liver biopsy, a needle is inserted through the rib cage or abdominal wall and into the liver to obtain a sample for examination. The procedure can also be performed by inserting a needle into the jugular vein in the neck and passing a catheter through the veins down to the liver to obtain the sample.
A public resource on clinical lab testing from the people who do the testing, Lab Tests Online.
A bone scan falls under the category of nuclear medicine, which means it uses tiny amounts of radioactive materials called tracers. Once introduced into the body, tracers emit waves of radiation that are detected by a special gamma camera. This camera produces images that are interpreted by radiologists or nuclear medicine specialists.
Information on diagnostic tests, from Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide.
Laboratory tests are tools helpful in evaluating the health status of an individual. It is important to realize that laboratory results may be outside of the so-called "normal range" for many reasons, from Amarillo Medical Specialists.
A vast resource of information about common and uncommon laboratory tests, from labcorp.com.
Advances in ultrasound image technology have allowed the development of sonographic equipment for imaging inflamed joints in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, from MedicineNet.
