|
Type of test
|
Detects
|
| Antinuclear antibody (ANA) |
Autoantibodies to cell nuclei, indicative of lupus or other connective tissue disorders (eg, rheumatoid arthritis [RA]) |
| Full blood count (FBC) |
Anaemia, white blood cell, red blood cell and platelet abnormalities.
|
| C-reactive protein (CRP) |
Level of inflammation in the body |
| Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) |
Degree of inflammation and activity of RA, the higher the rate the greater the level of inflammation |
| Haematocrit (HCT) and haemoglobin (Hb) |
Red blood cell quantity and quality |
| Histocompatibility antigens (HLA) tissue typing |
Antigens specific to autoimmune diseases, HLA-B27 is linked to ankylosing spondylitis |
| Liver enzymes (eg, ALT, AST) |
Extent of liver function |
| Muscle enzymes (eg, CPK, aldolase) |
Muscle damage |
| Rheumatoid factor (RF) |
RF antibody in blood, commonly found in people with RA |
| Serum blood urea nitrogen and creatinine |
Extent of kidney function |
| Skin biopsy |
Forms of arthritis that involve the skin (ie, lupus) |
| Synovial fluid analysis |
Uric acid crystals indicate gout; presence of bacteria suggests infection in the joint |
| Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) |
Hypo- or hyperthyroidism |
| Uric acid |
Elevated levels in blood indicates gout |
| Urinalysis |
Blood, protein or casts in the urine |
| Urine culture |
Infection in the urinary tract |
