

Anti-CCPs are antibodies also produced by the immune system. More than half of all people with rheumatoid arthritis have high levels of rheumatoid factors in their blood when the disease starts, but about 1 in 20 people without rheumatoid arthritis also test positive.Ī related blood test known as anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) test is also available. Rheumatoid factors are proteins that the immune system produces when it attacks healthy tissue. One blood test measures levels of rheumatoid factors in the blood. Rheumatoid factor and anti-CCP antibodies Anaemia means the blood is unable to carry enough oxygen because of a lack of blood cells.Īnaemia is common in people with rheumatoid arthritis, although having anaemia does not prove you have rheumatoid arthritis. The full blood count test can also be used to check if you have anaemia. full blood count – this test can be used to help rule out other possible causes of your symptoms as well as provide an indicator of your general health.C-reactive protein (CRP) – another test that can help measure inflammation levels.erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) – which can help assess levels of inflammation in the body.Some of the main blood tests used include:

No blood test can definitively prove or rule out a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, but several tests can show indications of the condition. The GP may arrange blood tests to help confirm the diagnosis. If the GP thinks you have rheumatoid arthritis, they'll refer you to a specialist (rheumatologist). It's important to tell the GP about all your symptoms, not just ones you think are important, as this will help them make the correct diagnosis. The GP will also ask you about your symptoms. Seeing a GPĪ GP will do a physical examination, checking your joints for any swelling and to assess how easily they move. See a GP if you have these symptoms so they can try to determine the cause. Rheumatoid arthritis can be difficult to diagnose because many conditions cause joint stiffness and inflammation and there's no definitive test for the condition.
