preparations

[faith]

just curious of what kind of lab tests (specific)should a patient will undergo to find out that he have an RA? do you usually do some preparations such as fasting ,,i mean not eating after 12:00mn if you're due on a lab tests the following morning? just as what we do during normal executive check up?

[Mac]

In my case, the blood work was quite simple with no fasting required. The Dr. identifies the tests to be done on a form, the lab draws the blood and the results go to the Dr. When I see the Dr. again he has the results and uses them to help make decisions regarding treatment.

The only specifics that come to mind are liver function and RA level in the blood. There are more but I don't recall what they are. Perhaps someone else can answer that for you.

Mac

[naturelover]

My wife who is diagnosed with mild RA because of some recurring pain in her foot had been advised to go for a check up after a month if it persists. Now she is taking pills. Really I too want to know the procedures carried out like lab tests and other things.

[crimson]

I guess this link would help you a lot with regards this question. http://arthritis.about.com/od/radiagnosis/Rheumatoid_Arthritis_Diagnosis_Lab_Tests_Exams_Pic turePhotos.htm

[kageyd]

My answer is pretty much identical to Mac's. Five minutes to draw blood, results to your doctor within a day. No fasting, no preparation, very simple. They look for RA factor, another factor called CCP (or CCT), sedimentation rate, white blood count, but the results include all kinds of other stuff of less direct relevance to RA. Nice to have in your permanent records.