Can Blood Tests Measure Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Kelly Young is is grateful for a glass half full : ) Living With It http://rawarrior.com I blog about RA at http;//rawarrior.com I love the healthcentral... Send Message Subscribe: Kelly Young

Thursday, August 27, 2009
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I did over 20 hours of research to write this article. I hope you will tell others about it if you like it. It is also on my blog Rheumatiod Arthritis Warrior. I feel like it's the most important thing I've ever written on RA. Substantial numbers of RA'ers have "normal" test results In my la...

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Untitled Comment
dhynan
Friday, August 28, 2009 at 10:59 AM

Thanks Kelly, for such great research, as a person with "normal" test but, a lot of pain

I'm encouraged to ask a lot more questions of my doctor. Can you or anyone describe

your "flares". I also have Fibromyalgia and sometimes I can't decide If my pain is that or RA. I sometimes have all over pain with joint and muscle pain,extreme fatigue, it

only last a couple of days then I'm better. Would appreciate hearing from you or anyone else.

Thanks

re: Untitled Comment
Kelly Young
Friday, August 28, 2009 at 05:19 PM

I agree that no one is sure. Answers are different depending upon which dr. you ask.

I am doing some research on this, but I think there are more questions than answers right now!

We have had lots of people discussing this at the Facebook page for RA Warrior's site. It is here at www.facebook.com/arthritiswarrior

I have also decided to open a discussion thread on that topic for people to leave info for each other. It is here.

Keep asking questions! That is my advice.

Good luck to you.

Kelly

Untitled Comment
Lene Andersen
Monday, August 31, 2009 at 11:02 PM

Thanks so much for your hard work - I can definitely see referring to your post, as well as the Q&A we have with a rheumatologist when answering questions about blood tests. That last article is a real gem.

re: Untitled Comment
Kelly Young
Monday, August 31, 2009 at 11:42 PM

Thank you, Lene.

Blood tests for RA
Amber146
Friday, September 18, 2009 at 01:14 AM

That was the most informative article I have read in my search for normal blood results and RA. I have had symptoms of RA for about 6 weeks and had my blood tested earlier this week and was wondering if perhaps it was too early in the disease process for anything to have shown because all results were normal? Thanks for you help

re: Blood tests for RA
Kelly Young
Friday, September 18, 2009 at 11:23 AM

Amber:

Yes, you are correct. Often, blood tests do not show RA early on. As time goes on, it is more likely to show up in blood tests if it's there.

However, as I said before, there are some who never have "positive" blood tests. We just need better tests.

Kelly

Blood tests for RA
Amber146
Friday, September 18, 2009 at 01:16 AM

That was the most informative article I have read in my search for normal blood results and RA. I have had symptoms of RA for about 6 weeks and had my blood tested earlier this week and was wondering if perhaps it was too early in the disease process for anything to have shown because all results were normal? Thanks for you help