blood tests - what should I know?

[Guest guest]

Only been diagnosed with PA for 5 weeks, so I am extremely naive on

PA/RA compared to the many unfortunate authorities on this group.

This leads me to many questions. I have been told I was positive

for RA and I know I scored 65 on some RA test. I suppose I should

have begun my questions at that point. Is there a primer or some

info available that can explain the various tests and what the

scores mean? What specific tests should I pay more attention to?

I'd really like to get more informed on RA and PA because it appears

that like it or lump it I'm in this for the long haul. I've hit

most of the best known sites but I haven't come across any detailed

info on blood tests and their meaning.

My heart goes out to all of you and I deeply appreciate your helpful

opinions.

[Guest guest]

One of the best places to start looking for informaion is this link.

http://www.arthritis.org/

Hope this helps.

Dick

> Only been diagnosed with PA for 5 weeks, so I am extremely naive

on

> PA/RA compared to the many unfortunate authorities on this group.

> This leads me to many questions. I have been told I was positive

> for RA and I know I scored 65 on some RA test. I suppose I should

> have begun my questions at that point. Is there a primer or some

> info available that can explain the various tests and what the

> scores mean? What specific tests should I pay more attention to?

>

> I'd really like to get more informed on RA and PA because it

appears

> that like it or lump it I'm in this for the long haul. I've hit

> most of the best known sites but I haven't come across any

detailed

> info on blood tests and their meaning.

>

> My heart goes out to all of you and I deeply appreciate your

helpful

> opinions.

[Guest guest]

-Hi floyddogg,

Unfortunately there is no one test that is used to diagnose pa.

Diagnosis usually consists of looking at your symptoms and ruling out

other diseases. X-rays, MRIs, ANA, Sed rate, C-reactive protein, Ra

factor are all possible lab work. We have really found, on this

board, that these tests don't necessarily correlate to the severity

of illness or symptoms. They are just clues for the docs.

Here is a site where you can read about the labwork they do:

http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/index.html

Good luck,

Marti

-- In , " floyddog99 "

<floyddog99@y...> wrote:

> Only been diagnosed with PA for 5 weeks, so I am extremely naive on

> PA/RA compared to the many unfortunate authorities on this group.

> This leads me to many questions. I have been told I was positive

> for RA and I know I scored 65 on some RA test. I suppose I should

> have begun my questions at that point. Is there a primer or some

> info available that can explain the various tests and what the

> scores mean? What specific tests should I pay more attention to?

>

> I'd really like to get more informed on RA and PA because it

appears

> that like it or lump it I'm in this for the long haul. I've hit

> most of the best known sites but I haven't come across any detailed

> info on blood tests and their meaning.

>

> My heart goes out to all of you and I deeply appreciate your

helpful

> opinions.

[Guest guest]

Hi there, If I had to guess I would say the test you got a 65 on is

probably what is known as a sed rate. It basically shows how much

inflammation you're having, there is a web site that explains it

better.

http://www.heartcenteronline.com/myheartdr/Articles_about_the_heart/T

he_Blood_Test_Center.html?WT.srch=1 & OVRAW=sed%20rate & OVKEY=sed%

20rate & OVMTC=standard

this is just one site that explains different test. Good luck on

your search.

Keli

> Only been diagnosed with PA for 5 weeks, so I am extremely naive

on

> PA/RA compared to the many unfortunate authorities on this group.

> This leads me to many questions. I have been told I was positive

> for RA and I know I scored 65 on some RA test. I suppose I should

> have begun my questions at that point. Is there a primer or some

> info available that can explain the various tests and what the

> scores mean? What specific tests should I pay more attention to?

>

> I'd really like to get more informed on RA and PA because it

appears

> that like it or lump it I'm in this for the long haul. I've hit

> most of the best known sites but I haven't come across any

detailed

> info on blood tests and their meaning.

>

> My heart goes out to all of you and I deeply appreciate your

helpful

> opinions.

[Guest guest]

I really appreciate the info. Thanx.

> > Only been diagnosed with PA for 5 weeks, so I am extremely naive

> on

> > PA/RA compared to the many unfortunate authorities on this

group.

> > This leads me to many questions. I have been told I was positive

> > for RA and I know I scored 65 on some RA test. I suppose I

should

> > have begun my questions at that point. Is there a primer or some

> > info available that can explain the various tests and what the

> > scores mean? What specific tests should I pay more attention

to?

> >

> > I'd really like to get more informed on RA and PA because it

> appears

> > that like it or lump it I'm in this for the long haul. I've hit

> > most of the best known sites but I haven't come across any

> detailed

> > info on blood tests and their meaning.

> >

> > My heart goes out to all of you and I deeply appreciate your

> helpful

> > opinions.