Arthritis Profile

The presence of RF means that the body has an autoimmune disease such as Rheumatoid arthritis. Symptoms of Rheumatoid arthritis include stiffness of joints, especially in the morning, pain in joints, underlying skin nodules, loss of bone and swelling of joints.   

CRP Test measures the levels of CRP in blood to detect the presence of an inflammation or to monitor the treatment and progress of an inflammatory condition. C-reactive Protein or CRP is an acute phase reactant protein which is produced and secreted by the liver in response to an inflammation in the body, which may be caused by tissue injury, infection, or autoimmune diseases. CRP levels increase in patients with trauma, heart attack, autoimmune diseases, bacterial infections, sepsis, post surgery, cancer, etc. CRP levels are often increased before the onset of other symptoms of inflammation such as pain, fever, etc. CRP levels in blood fall as the inflammation subsides.

It is a non-specific test. It can neither diagnose a condition by itself nor can it determine the location of a particular inflammation or disease. Other tests along with physical examination are performed to diagnose a particular condition and determine the location.

A variant of the CRP test is the High Sensitivity C-reactive Protein Test (hs-CRP) which is more sensitive for CRP levels and can detect blood CRP levels at a lower concentration than the standard CRP Test. The hs-CRP Test is performed usually to determine the risk of development of cardiovascular diseases in otherwise healthy individuals.

The Phosphorus, Serum test is used to evaluate the level of phosphorus in your blood. Phosphorus is an inherent component of all living cells in the system and most, 85 percent, is located in the tissues of bones and teeth, while the remaining 15 percent is part of the blood and other soft tissues. Your body obtains its daily phosphorus requirements through dietary sources and under normal conditions, once the necessary amounts of phosphorus are absorbed by the cells and tissues, the remaining is eliminated via the urine.

Besides consuming a wholesome diet enriched with sufficient amounts of phosphorus, it is also important to ensure ample intake of calcium and vitamin D, to maintain overall health.

The Uric acid test measures the levels of uric acid in the blood. Uric acid is a nitrogenous compound produced by the metabolic breakdown of purine. Purines are nitrogenous bases in DNA forming parts of the structural framework of the cells. Breakdown of purines occurs when cells become old and die, forming uric acid. Uric acid is also formed from the metabolic breakdown of some types of food like red meat, seafood, beans, etc.

Most of the uric acid in the blood is filtered and eliminated by the kidneys and a small remaining amount in the stool. The concentration of uric acid in the blood can increase due to overproduction of uric acid or improper elimination of uric acid, and this condition is called Hyperuricemia. Hyperuricemia can also be caused due to cancer treatment by chemotherapy or radiotherapy. These treatment methods kill the cancer cells, which may leak the uric acid into the blood.

Excess uric acid can form crystals in the synovial fluid between the joints causing inflammation and pain. This condition is called gout and can severely damage the joints if left untreated. The Uric Acid Test can indicate the presence of gout, or risk of formation of gout. However, it is not a definitive test for gout. Confirmatory test for gout is performed by analysis of synovial fluid (joint fluid) for monosodium urate crystals. Chronic Hyperuricemia can cause the formation of tophi, which are hard lumpy deposits of uric acid crystals formed under the skin, in the joints, and at the top of the ears. Tophi cause severe damage to the joints and may compress nerves causing chronic pain and disfigurement. The excess uric acid may also deposit and crystallize in the kidneys causing kidney stones and acute renal failure.