RA?? Help Please!
Posted , 6 users are following.
Hi,
I recently received a Rehumatoid Arthritis Panel with Reactive Protiens as well as other lab tests. My results were as follows:
RA Latex Turbid .....<10 (normal)
C-Reative Protien Quant......2.4 (normal)
CCP Antibodies 48 ABNORMAL
Sedimentation Rate 4 (normal)
As well as
Abnormal
Platlet count......399
Creatine Serum 1.04
My family dr said he didn't think any of these numbers meant Rehumatoid Arthritis but I get the complete opposite information when I look this up online. I am experiencing joint pain in my hands each morning for 1 hour as well as having pain in both my knees and feet.
He is referring me to a rheumatologist for safe side measures he says as this is not his expertise. However I don't have this appointment for several weeks.
My question is, with the above numbers and my symptoms couldn't this be Early RA? I'm just confused and at a loss for answers since my new appointment isn't for weeks and I'm left here in pain until then. Thanks for any input!
0 likes, 4 replies
elle09679 JuliaCPhT83
Posted
Hi Julia
There are lots of different bloods that reveal the likely hood of having RA and still not possible to get a 100%drfinitive diagnosis from any. ESR and CRP which are inflammatory markers are often raised so you're fine there but anticcp is more specific and above 20 is a positive result. Some people have CCP in 100s but mine is just 40 and dr says it's high.
Alternatively, some people have seronegative RA and have completely clear bloods!!
Good luck
vickie3 elle09679
Posted
Yeah - you can totally have sero-negative RA ( there are lots of different types of arthritis too, each presenting a little differently). But even with sero-positive RA those number don't necessarily correlate with severity. For example, my RF is 27 and my CCP is greater than 340 (the scale didn't go high enough to measure it, lol), but typically I ony have mild symptoms! And even when I'm flaring, my ESR and CRP don't seem to budge. So although the numbers can help differentiate a diagnosis, they're not the be all and end all.
You're going to see a rheumatologist though, so he's the expert. The CCP measure is a relatively new way of diagnosing RA, so it could just be that your doc is not quite up to date on the latest thinking. Just make sure to raise your concerns with the specialist. Worst thing to do is walk out of that room with questions unanswered
Fieldmouse73 JuliaCPhT83
Posted
Hi Julia
I've had joint pain for 2 yrs now and have had trouble getting through the GP to the specialist, especially since my bloods kept coming back as normal. The best advice when you see the specialist is to have a list of all you symptoms and how they are affecting your day to day life. Also have a list of questions you have.
The specialist I saw was eager to see my notes and the diary I had kept for a week before seeing him.
ihavenonickname JuliaCPhT83
Posted
Diagnosing RA takes time. A rheumatologist is just the specialist to make a diagnosis.
But, what to do during the wait....speak with your gp about taking an over the counter NSAID to reduce inflammation...many of these were prescription only back when I was young, and ye, they were prescribed to me...and acetaminophen for pain. Aspirin is not a good idea to take concurrently with an NSAID.
And never take acetaminophen any more frequently than six hours.
kind regatds
judith