Blood Test Results

newbury1

Just got back from Doc's.

The good news is that my cholestorol (not sure of spelling) is 5.1 which I understand is good . The bad news is that one of the tests has come back positive for RA .

Have to have another test next week to confirm but I won't know for about a month as the test takes 3 weeks!!!

woodbon

HELLO! Welcome to the site, I'm glad you've found it so quickly, as their are so many people on this site who have RA and will be able to help and advise you with questions about the condition. I have OA in my hips, neck, wrists and hands. I hope you are not in too much pain. On this site a lot of people have pain problems, but please, when you read it, don't think that everyone is the same and you are bound to get as bad as some to the people here, lots of people have RA for years with only small, controlled pain. Its just that some people wait too long before getting help, or have had RA for a long time. I hope the site helps you. Love Sue

newbury1

I was wondering if anyone can offer me advice/assurance.

I've had my first RA blood test which has come back positive. The doc is sending me for another next week which will confirm whether or not I have RA. I was wondering if anyone can tell me what the chances are of the next test coming back positive as well. I'm uncertain and a bit confused. :?

jaspercat

Hi, I am afraid that I can't answer that questions about the blood test, it might help you to get in touch with the helpline, you can e-mail them or phone them, I am sure that they can help. If you do get a positive second result then you should ask for a referral to a Rheumtologist, they can help you with drugs etc.

I am sure that someone else will come along to help you further love Jaspercatxx

elnafinn

Hi newbury

I am surprised that you are having another blood test to confirm the first one. I would have thought your gp would have referred you to a rheumi (rheumatologist) who would be able to do his own tests ie another blood test if he thought necessary, aspirating fluid to check for RA and examining you. After all this is his job. It seems a waste of time to be going through the motions of a blood test again and then waiting weeks for confirmation one way or the other. You could have seen a rheumi in that time and have the diagnosis sorted.

After years of being diagnosed with OA I saw a surgeon re having a knee replacement and he wished for me to be tested for RA since both knees and both hands were affected and this is common with RA. ie both sides of the body are affected as opposed to one side.
My test came back positive, referred to a rheumi, history taken, examination, fluid aspiration from knee and was told the fluid was not the correct colour for RA, I did in fact have OA which was diagnosed years ago.

Sorry for the waffle, hope this helps you a little,

Luv
Elna x

livinglegend

newbury1 wrote:

Just got back from Doc's.

The good news is that my cholestorol (not sure of spelling) is 5.1 which I understand is good . The bad news is that one of the tests has come back positive for RA .

Have to have another test next week to confirm but I won't know for about a month as the test takes 3 weeks!!!

cholestorol (cholesterol)

One RA test is not enough as the level will fluctuate in relation to the severity of the disease at that time. One week the level could be up and the following week down. Several tests will give the doc your 'normal' level. It is different for each individual and will be needed to help determine the type of treatment needed.


The labs used for the testing are always busy and as such there is usually a wait for the test results. Unfortunately, it is a wait which we have to be a bit tolerant with.

Wait until when you see your GP to discuss the tests, as he or she may need to refer you for an appointment with a rheumy at your local hospital if necessary. If they don't suggest referral then ask.


Joseph 8)

butterfly1

You should get the doc to refer you to Rheumatology now. By the time you get your appointment they'll have the blood test results and hopefully this will speed things up for you. With the NHS IT systerms whichever hospital you go to will be able to access your results on the system. They're usually on there within a couple of days, they tell us it takes longer as the GP surgeries won't give us results until the GPs have reviewed them and it seems to take them ages.

elnafinn

butterfly1 wrote:

You should get the doc to refer you to Rheumatology now. By the time you get your appointment they'll have the blood test results and hopefully this will speed things up for you. With the NHS IT systerms whichever hospital you go to will be able to access your results on the system. They're usually on there within a couple of days, they tell us it takes longer as the GP surgeries won't give us results until the GPs have reviewed them and it seems to take them ages.

Echo, echo, I totally agree with you.

E x

joyful164

livinglegend wrote:

newbury1 wrote:

Just got back from Doc's.

The good news is that my cholestorol (not sure of spelling) is 5.1 which I understand is good . The bad news is that one of the tests has come back positive for RA .
Have to have another test next week to confirm but I won't know for about a month as the test takes 3 weeks!!!

cholestorol (cholesterol)
One RA test is not enough as the level will fluctuate in relation to the severity of the disease at that time. One week the level could be up and the following week down. Several tests will give the doc your 'normal' level. It is different for each individual and will be needed to help determine the type of treatment needed.


The labs used for the testing are always busy and as such there is usually a wait for the test results. Unfortunately, it is a wait which we have to be a bit tolerant with.

Wait until when you see your GP to discuss the tests, as he or she may need to refer you for an appointment with a rheumy at your local hospital if necessary. If they don't suggest referral then ask.


Joseph 8)

Hi Joseph

I had to have blood tests over a period of months, with the first diagnosis being gout, and then 9 months later and then after 9 months when meds were not working had another blood test and was told it might be ra and I was referred.

joyful