About Arthritis Test :
The term arthritis is commonly used for joint pain , stiffness and swelling . It is not a single condition but a group of conditions that can affect at any age. However, this problem is mostly seen only in the elderly. Arthritis can occur due to many reasons and it can also be genetic.
There are many types of arthritis, such as:
Osteoarthritis:
Osteoarthritis: This is the most common type of arthritis. It is generally seen in women and women above 45 years of age. It most commonly affects the back, knees, hips and hands. If you are overweight then you are more likely to have this problem.
Gout:
Gout: This is an inflammatory type of arthritis that occurs when excess uric acid accumulates in the body. Excess uric acid forms crystals in and around the joints, causing painful swelling and redness in the affected joint, along with itching and peeling of the skin over the joint. Gout usually affects the big toe but it can affect other joints as well. Suppository arthritis occurs when calcium crystals in the joints move out of place.
Rheumatoid Arthritis:
Rheumatoid Arthritis: This is an autoimmune inflammatory condition that occurs when the immune system attacks the joints and starts damaging them. Normally the immune system fights off infectious microbes and protects you from diseases .
It is an autoimmune condition, however, in which your immune system starts attacking healthy tissues of the body. This causes swelling. Rheumatoid arthritis is a common problem in women and it usually occurs between the ages of 40 to 60 years.
Ankylosing spondylitis:
Ankylosing spondylitis: This causes inflammation and pain in the spine . This problem occurs in men and affects between the ages of 20 to 30 years.
Psoriatic arthritis: This is also an autoimmune condition seen in people with psoriasis .
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis:
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: If you get arthritis before the age of 16 then it is called Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. There are many types and it is an autoimmune condition.
Arthritis test is done to detect arthritis. This includes the following tests:
erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR),
C-reactive protein (CRP),
anti-streptolysin o,
calcium, phosphorus, rheumatoid factor,
uric acid,
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), anti-streptolysin O, calcium, phosphorus, rheumatoid factor, uric acid, and vitamin D3.
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR):
ESR: This is a blood test that measures the rate of settling of red blood cells inside a test tube. When the settling of red blood cells is accelerated, the ESR becomes high. When there is an infection or inflammation in the body, excess protein is present in the blood which causes the red blood cells to settle rapidly.
C-reactive protein (CRP):
CRP: This blood test is done to check the level of C-reactive protein in the blood. CRP is part of the immune system. The level of this protein increases when there is inflammation or infection .
Antistreptolysin O:
Antistreptolysin O: This blood test measures antibodies against streptolysin O. Streptolysan O is a chemical produced by a group of group A streptococcus bacteria. Post streptococcal reactive arthritis is a condition that can occur after a streptococcal infection.
Calcium:
Calcium: This blood test is done to check the amount of calcium in the body. This helps bones to detect and monitor diseases.
Phosphorus: This blood test is done to check the level of phosphate ie phosphorus in the blood. Phosphorus helps in building and repairing bones and teeth. When calcium increases in the body, the phosphate level starts falling. Parathyroid hormone regulates the phosphate levels in the body.
RF Test:
RF test: Rheumatoid factor test is done to detect rheumatoid arthritis. RF is an antibody that increases in response to inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis. RF does not cause rheumatoid arthritis, but rather worsens the inflammation.
Uric acid: This is a blood test that is done to check the amount of uric acid. This painful inflammation is called arthritis.
Vitamin D3:
Vitamin D3: Vitamin D blood test is done to find out the level of Vitamin D in the blood. Vitamin D exists in two forms: Vitamin D2 and Vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 is made in the body from
sunlight and foods like eggs , salmon and tuna. Both forms of vitamin K are converted to 25-hydroxyvitamin D in the body. Its deficiency can be a sign of bone disorders.
Why gout testing is done
Doctors can prescribe arthritis test if symptoms of arthritis are seen. Some of its symptoms are:Stiffness in at least one joint.Inability to move any one joint properly.Swelling of at least one joint.Recurrent or persistent pain in one or more joints.Warmth and redness in at least one joint.Depending on the type of arthritis, your symptoms may be different:
The following are symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis:
joint pain
swelling over joints
difficulty in moving the joint due to pain
Difficulty with everyday tasks such as tying shoes, opening a jar or unbuttoning a shirt.
stiffness especially in the morning
fatigue and loss of energy
occasional fever _
The following symptoms are seen in arthritis:
be in a lot of pain
swelling
jealousy
sore to the touch
Shining of the skin over the joint so that it starts peeling a little.
Osteoarthritis can take the form of:
pain and stiffness in the affected joints
swollen joints
Crepitus: A crackling sound when the affected joint is moved.
degeneration of the muscles around the joint
preparation before the test
Go for the test wearing a half sleeve shirt or T-shirt. Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medications, such as over-the-counter medications, herbs, vitamins, or supplements.
Aspirin, steroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can lower CRP levels. Lithium, thyroxine, vitamin D, thiazide diuretics, and calcium salts may affect calcium test results.
Phosphorus test results can be affected by antacids, laxatives, and diuretics. Dialysis can also affect phosphorus levels. The doctor may change some of these medicines or refuse to take them before the test.
Aspirin, caffeine, alcohol, diuretics, cisplatin, levodopa, estrogen, glucose, mannitol, warfarin, corticosteroids can affect the result of uric acid test.
Before this the test is prepared as follows:
You may have to fast a few hours before the test or the night before.
Pregnancy, menstruation or eating fatty food before the test can increase the level of ESR. Tell the doctor about these things before the test.
CRP can increase due to cigarette smoking, diabetes and lack of exercise.
Excess intake of milk and dairy products can increase the level of calcium in the body. Cheese, fish, chocolate, beer and cola can disturb the phosphorus level in the body.
Strenuous exercise and foods high in purines, such as mushrooms, dried peas, and beans, can affect uric acid levels. Therefore, the doctor may advise not to eat these things before the test.
How is the test done?
All tests for arthritis are done with blood tests. The lab technician will draw some blood by inserting a clean needle into a vein in the arm.
There may be a stinging pain when the needle is inserted. Apart from this, you will not feel anything else. Infection at the needle site has been reported very rarely.
Tell your doctor if you feel dizzy or unwell during or after the test.
Arthritis test results and normal range
The typical result is as follows:
ESR :
0 to 10 mm per hour in children
0 to 15 millimeters per hour in men under the age of 50
0 to 20 millimeters per hour in men over age 50
0 to 20 millimeters per hour in women under 50
0 to 30 millimeters per hour in women over the age of 50
CRP :
less than 10 mg per liter
Anti-streptolysin O :
Under age 5: 0 to 99 international units per millimeter
5 to 15 years: 0 to 249 international units per millimeter
Adults: 0 to 199 international units per millimeter
Calcium: 8.5 to 10.2 milligrams per deciliter
Phosphorus :
.7 to 4.6 milligrams per deciliter
RF :
having a value of less than 60 units per millimeter
uric acid
3.5 to 7.2 milligrams per deciliter
vitamin D :
30 to 60 nanograms per millimeter
Abnormal result:
If the ESR and CRP are high, it means that there is inflammation in the body. Elevated levels of antistreptolysin O indicate acute rheumatic fever. Its level is high in more than 80% of people with rheumatic fever.
Increased uric acid means gout.
If RF is increased then it is a sign of rheumatoid arthritis.
An increase in the phosphate level and a decrease in the calcium level can be a sign of rheumatoid arthritis.