What are the standard tests for Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Do you know what tests they were, the names?

what happened to me was I was originally diagnosed with PMR and things changed over the years. I really don’t know if there’s a specific blood test that diagnoses you for rheumatology arthritis or not. My rheumatologist went by my symptoms which really changed a lot my feet were heavy my legs were weak I had numbness in my fingers I could hardly move my fingers so all the all of these problems got my rheumatologist to figure out that I may have RA. If you’re having problems with your rheumatologist It can’t hurt to get a second opinion if you feel that would be helpful for you. Best wishes to you going forward!!!

Standard tests include blood work, imaging, synovial fluid analysis, and clinical exam findings. Current blood tests include a complete blood count(CBC) looking for anemia of chronic disease, erynthrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR, or sed rate), rheumatoid factor(RF), antinuclear antibody(ANA), C reactive protein(CRP), and anti CCP antibodies. Imaging tests check for joint deterioration and damage. The synovial fluid test involves withdrawing fluid from a swollen joint checking for white blood cells and absence of bacteria with a needle. Imaging studies include xrays, sonogram and/or MRI. And clinical findings involve patient history. Family history, personal history of findings such as swelling, warmth, redness, joints involved, lifestyle changes, etc. As well as review of patient chart for documentation of these previously as well. Rheumatoid arthritis usually is straight forward in diagnosis and treatment. That is very unusual to hear that after having a disease process and treatment for 30 years not to be true. Remember that you need to be your own advocate. Make sure this new doctor explains and shows these findings that refute these facts. If it isn't rheumatoid arthritis, what is it? I wish you the very best of luck.

@fairn Yes; the two tests were different from the ones he had many years ago.

There is something many people have called rheumatoid factor negative rheumatoid arthritis. Just like it sounds, it’s RA with a negative test

I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia with mixed connective tissue disease about 30 years ago. I was put on hydroxychloroquine. Then I also got a new doctor who did blood tests and said I didn't have fibromyalgia. He took me off the medication slowly and my joints swelled I had flare ups sores in my mouth and on my cheeks. Muscles became painful, ridged, or spasmed. My skin was so sensitive clothes, showering or applying lotion became hurful. I went to another doctor she put me back on back on Plaquenil and some other short term meds to stop the fare. She said sometimes the blood work doesn't pick up what individual's are experiencing. I may not have fibro but I have something. It flairs up especially in extreme weather, it impacts my stana and ADLs. I've had it since my early 30's I'm 74.

@grrranny
I have not tested positive using the older RF test, but I did test positive on the CCP test. It's a newer test that can detect RA inflammation. You can have RA, but not test positive on the RF test, they call it sero-negative RA. The CCP test was developed to help detect it. If you can find a rheumatologist that will treat the symptoms of inflammation regardless of test results, that's a helpful approach. Here's a link to the CCP test info: https://www.healthline.com/health/ccp-antibody-test

7 years after i had been diagnosed by an ace Rheumy in New York, I moved to NC and was seeing a new Rheumy in Winston Salem for the first time. He proceeded to inform me I did not have RA and that i should see a different doctor for osteo arthritis. He said he would take Another RA Factor test but since it was negative previously, and he thought my disease was not RA, it would be negative. (Fun fact: as many as 50% of RA patients are not positive for RA Factor). It came back positive and his comment was that he would accept me as his patient. I told him thanks but I was not accepting him as my doctor and hung up on him. I ultimately found an awesome Rheumy - so if you are not getting an answer that makes sense to you, seek another input.

Thank you for the link . I have a new rhumatologist who is very good about discovering the cause of my pain. @fairn