Bloods came back clear??

[Exciting8623]

My blood results came back normal which leaves me pondering as to whats causing these pains now. She is referring to a rheumatolohist anyway. Has anyone experienced this, what can I expect? I getting very frustrated with it all.

[Downtime]

Yes my bloods were always normal but eventually my GP referred me to a rheumatologist. He diagnosed seronegative RA and immediately started treatment. I can imagine your frustration as I’ve been there! Hope you get some answers.

[hawker955]

I think that it is not that uncommon so more tests will be necessary. The disease is a biological phenomenon so does not conform to strict rules. I would expect that if symptoms are consistent with RA that they repeat the blood tests as often as necessary for them to be more certain. Good luck.

[alexask]

My bloods came back negative. Luckily most of my symptoms have abated. Perhaps they will for you. See my previous posts of mine as to what might have helped.

[Mmrr]

My bloods are negative too, I now have a diagnosis of seronegative rheumatoid arthritis. It is not uncommon, depending on where you look the literature suggests around 20 - 30 % of people will have negative blood results. Some people may develop antibodies as the disease progresses.

Thankfully your GP seems switched onto negative blood results still requiring a referral, a good start for quick treatment.

[rab1874]

It could be sero negative as I am and my bloods are always showing normal unless I’ve got an infection x

[sylvi]

My bloods rarely show much inflammation. Yet i am still in pain.xx

[Zip1 in reply to sylvi]

Mine are the same!

[helenv81]

I don’t test positive for the rheumatoid factor but my other blood tests were borderline so my gp referred me to a rheumatologist and I was diagnosed with seronegative inflammatory arthritis. Hopefully the rheumatologist will be as switched on as your gp.

[Darcy2000 in reply to helenv81]

Interesting ..my Sed rate and rheumatoid factor were normal and my C reactive protein was extremely high ...normal is 3 mine was 69 ...I think that result expedited my appt with Rheumatologist. 3 months of extreme stiffness with 50 mg s of Prednisone on a tapering schedule and my symptoms have abated ..still on Prednisone..weaning down

PMR was ruled out so it was some weird inflammatory reaction or virus ..hopefully Rheumatologist can diagnose even though it has disappeared..I know lucky me

[Matilda_1922]

My inflammatory markers are always low but still have pain. Saw GP to review medication now taken off anti inflammatory as he doesn’t like it. So let’s wait and see

[Caza]

My blood results have always been borderline so my rheumatologist treated the symptoms not the results.

[Matilda_1922 in reply to Caza]

I’ve been told the consultant I’m now under treats according to blood results not symptoms. Said swelling behind my elbow is fatty tissue and I can’t straighten my elbow either. Yes I’m overweight but surely though you should listen to me.

[Ern007]

I find this interesting and not long back from a battery of Bloods.. I have OA and have had that for years, last year I started with pain in two arms and two shoulders at the SAME time along with other pains. Doctor thought it could be Polymyalgia and possibly RA - bloods was borderline and I had a large Vit D deficiency which causes pain. This yeas/am I was unwell and low mooded along with duel pain in arms, Dr still thinks possible Polymyagia or RA so just been for bloods. It's not easy to diagnose RA when you have OA from a talk, so waiting for bloods again.. I see so many replies above with people with marginal or even negative bllods, yer referred.. Glad I spotted this post.

[dbestdeb]

My bloods as always fine except for liver enzymes and Vectra DA. When treated, both come down.

[Exciting8623]

Thank you all, I got an appointment for the rheumatologist next week, very quick altogether. I really hope I get to the bottom of it. Do these appointments require more testing or do they make an diagnosis there and then?