This extensive rheumatology menu combined with our medical expertise and client services makes a winning combination.
Complete Blood Count (CBC): includes white blood cell count, hematocrit, and platelets. Can be abnormal in certain rheumatologic conditions or because of medication toxicity
Creatinine (Cr): measures kidney function
Liver Function Tests (ALT/AST): measures liver function; can be elevated due to medication toxicity
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (sed rate or ESR): measures how quickly red blood cells fall to the bottom of a test tube; elevated in inflammatory conditions such as infection or rheumatologic diseases
C Reactive Protein (CRP): a protein that also can be elevated in inflammation
Anti-nuclear Antibody (ANA): measures blood levels of antibodies that can be seen in patients with rheumatologic diseases including lupus, scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, dermatomyositis, mixed connective tissue disease, and Sgrens syndrome
ANA panel: further tests that may be performed for patients with a positive ANA that may help to narrow down the diagnosis. Includes anti-smith, dsDNA, SSA/SSB, RNP and centromere antibodies
Rheumatoid Factor (RF): antibody found in 70-80% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide (CCP): a more specific test for rheumatoid arthritis
Creatine Phosphokinase (CPK or CK): muscle enzyme that can be elevated in autoimmune diseases that affect the muscles such as polymyositis or due to medication toxicity (such as from statins used to treat high cholesterol)
Uric Acid or Urate: increased levels can be seen in gout
Complement (e.g. C3, C4): measures a group of proteins important to the bodys response to infections; levels can be low in lupus
Serum Protein Electrophoresis (SPEP): this test separates proteins into albumin and globulins that form important components of the immune system. Can be abnormal in certain blood diseases such as multiple myeloma
HLA-B27: A genetic marker that can be seen in a group of rheumatic diseases called the spondyloarthritides such as ankylosing spondylitis
Anticardiolipin Antibodies (ACL), lupus anticoagulant (LAC), Beta-2-Glycoprotein-1 (B2GP1): tests for certain antibodies that can be seen in patients who have blood clots
Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody (ANCA): antibodies that can be seen in rare rheumatic diseases such as vasculitis
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE): an enzyme found in lung and kidney cells. Can be helpful in following disease activity in patients with sarcoidosis