Blood tests for joint inflammation

Answer 1

Erythrocytes sedimentation rate (ESR), Westergren method,(Sed Rate) is blood test measures how quickly red blood cells (erythrocytes) settle in a test tube. The more red cells that fall to the bottom of a special test tube in one hour, the higher the sed rate.

When inflammation is present in the body, certain proteins cause red blood cells to stick together and fall more quickly than normal to the bottom of the tube.

C-reactive protein test

Answer 2

Erythrocytes sedimentation rate (ESR), Westergren method,(Sed Rate) is blood test measures how quickly red blood cells (erythrocytes) settle in a test tube. The more red cells that fall to the bottom of a special test tube in one hour, the higher the sed rate.

When inflammation is present in the body, certain proteins cause red blood cells to stick together and fall more quickly than normal to the bottom of the tube. These proteins are produced by the liver and the immune system under many abnormal conditions, such as an infection, an autoimmune disease, and cancer. There are many possible causes of an elevated sedimentation rate. For this reason, a sed rate blood test is done with other tests to confirm a diagnosis. Once a sed rate blood test is conducted, the course of the disease or the effectiveness of treatment can be monitored.

The normal sedimentation rate (Westergren method) for males is 0-15 millimeters per hour, and for females is 0-20 millimeters per hour. The sedimentation rate can be slightly more elevated in the elderly and is much lower for children.

There are also two ways of measuring Rheumatoid factor in blood

1. The Agglutination tests. In this test blood is mixed with minute latex beads that have been covered with human antibodies. If there is RF, the beads clump together or agglutinate. Another agglutination test uses sheep's blood that has had its red blood cells covered with rabbit's antibodies, then mixes the blood being tested with it . If there is RF in the blood sample, the red blood cells clump together. This method is often used to confirm the presence of RF.
2. The Nephelometry test. In this test a blood sample is mixed with antibodies cause the blood to clump if RF is present. A light beam from a laser is directed through the sample containing the mixture and the amount of light blocked by the blood sample is measured. The more clumping that occurs, the cloudier the sample and less light to pass through the tube. c-reactive protein is also elevated during inflammation. and is released by your body to help in the inflammatory process, it helps in the activation of complement system.

   CRP is an acute phase protein and can be raised in many circumstances including

   Acute and chronic infections, vasculitis, connective tissue diseases, Arthritis.

Answer 3

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate