I'm confused

[Kels1974]

My doctor sent me for blood tests to check for rheumatoid arthritis,he said the test came back negative but my other blood test showed inflammation.He said he would get in touch with rheumatology and get back to me.The doctors receptionist rang me yesterday and said my doctor is going to ring me on Wednesday afternoon to discuss it.Any ideas?

[katieoxo60]

Hi, there is a blood test that can suggest more definate if you have rhuematoid arthritis, but sometimes even blood tests don't seem to be as reliable as a diagnostic test these days. I just had a doubtful test result the Drs words " we will have to do another test in three months this may just be a blip" In fact the actual follow up for my faulty result is to do further tests for the next three months, to monitor the results. So I would say it is in the hands of your doctor as to what course follows. Sorry this is not much help. Take care and hopefully it will soon be sorted for you.

[cyberbarn]

Very few blood tests are conclusive in themselves, most just indicate the next direction to look. So there are very many things that could cause inflammation markers to be higher than they should, including autoimmune conditions, various different arthritis or even just having an infection or a wound.

So best to wait and see what your GP says.

[Hidden]

If you have no rheumatoid factor then you do not have rheumatoid arthritis. It is good that your GP is looking at other inflammatory conditions.

[Nitrobunny in reply to Hidden]

That’s absolutely not true. Seronegative RA is RA with a negative RA factor. The other inflammatory factors such as CRP and ESR are likely what your doctor was talking about. The RA group here on HU is full of people who are seronegative and I’m one of them.

[Hidden in reply to Nitrobunny]

Many thanks for that information. It has prompted me to look further at those with symptoms like those of RA but are seronegative. It is always good to increase knowledge. I had a friend who had the symptoms but was RA negative and was eventually diagnosed with a different condition. Some people may, of course, develop the RA factor, but some will not and they may not have RA.

webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthri...

verywellhealth.com/diseases...

Thanks again.

[Nitrobunny in reply to Hidden]

No worries. Autoimmune issues are so hard to Dx because blood work is seldom black and white and so many autoimmune diseases present so similarly, in some cases identical. They also like to travel in packs. If you have one autoimmune disease, the likelihood of having another one come along is quite good. It’s why rheumatology is such a difficult specially. The patients are in tremendous pain and many times very ill They’re also desperately wanting a quick answer which is hard to accomplish. Many times it takes years to sort things out. Often times the doctors end up treating symptoms in hopes of getting their patients some relief. For instance you can make almost anyone feel better with prednisone but it doesn’t mean you know what the actual issue is.

[Kels1974 in reply to Nitrobunny]

That totally makes sense.I have most of the symptoms of psoaritic arthritis, sjorgens and Raynaud's.Thats me self diagnosing myself 😅

[Kels1974]

Thanks i have ongoing pain in my fingers,wrists,knees and toes so I thats what he is looking into it.I hope he gey some answers on wednesday.

[lupus_01]

You probably have a different inflammatory arthritis. It took me years to get a diagnosis of AS but i now manage it well and have changed lifestyle and only have a flare rarely.

[Kels1974]

I've added a picture of one of my fingers which is painful.Does anyone know if it's possible to have psoaritic athritis but not have any psoarisis.My mum has psoaritic arthritis and my dad has psoarisis.I get a lot of scabs on my scalp.I wonder if I have it or another autoimmune disease.I suppose I will find out more on wednesday when my doctor rings.im just curious and impatient.

[lupus_01]

Yes you can have psoriatic arthritis without psoriasis. My dad had psoriasis but i never did. I tested positive for hla b27 gene which is why i got my diagnosis of AS