Blood tests to detect arthritis.

Blood tests are one of the most important and helpful method to detect the presence/onset/likely onset of arthritis in humans. This will help to start the right treatment early so that further worsening of the disease is prevented. A number of important blood tests commonly used are:

• Rheumatoid Factor (RF) Test: Rheumatoid factors are proteins produced by the immune system which can attack healthy tissues of the body. Blood levels of rheumatoid factor are usually elevated in arthritic patients indicating presence of inflammatory symptoms. The normal rheumatoid factor level in blood is between 0-20 units per milliliter of blood (u/mL).
• Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP): Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) is an autoantibody produced by the immune system which mistakes the body's normal cells and tissues as foreign bodies and attacks them. This leads to development of inflammatory symptoms indicative of arthritis, especially rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis patients usually have high anti-CCP levels in the bloodstream.
• Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) Test: In this test, blood is taken in a test tube and the rate at which the red blood cells settle at the bottom of the test tube in one hour is measured. In a healthy person, the ESR is low. If the cells are settling fast, it indicates inflammation in the body which is the most common symptom of arthritis.
• C-Reactive Protein Test: C-Reactive Protein is a protein produced by the liver in response to inflammation in the body. High levels of this protein indicate inflammation. This test helps to identify inflammation before visible arthritis symptoms emerge which helps to start treatment early.
• Antinuclear antibody (ANA) test: If this test comes positive, it indicates auto-immune disease in the body. This means that antinuclear antibodies are being produced by the immune system which are identifying the normal body cells and tissues as foreign bodies and attacking them and leading to inflammation.
• Complete Blood Count (CBC): This test will measure the total number of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets present per cubic millimeter of blood. It will also measure the hematocrit (a measure of how much red blood cells are in the system) and hemoglobin. This test will help to detect arthritis as well as side effects due to anti-arthritic medicines.For more such useful insights, follow Qais Ali Bhaisaheb.