(See Arthritis Ireland’s JIA Explained for more information)
Inflammation - (ESR & CRP). Liver function - (LFT’s) monitor for medication side effects.
Blood tests can help with diagnosis by testing for levels of auto-antibodies like rheumatoid factor (RF) which is present in most adults with rheumatoid arthritis but only 5% of children with polyarthritis or antinuclear antibody (ANA) which can increase your risk of uveitis (inflammation of the eye). Blood tests can also help map disease activity and progression by measuring:
Kidney function - (U & E) measures how well the kidneys are working. Haemoglobin levels for anaemia. A lack of the red blood pigment haemoglobin in the blood means you have anaemia which is a lack of the mineral iron in your blood. Anaemia can lead to fatigue (tiredness), breathlessness, pale pasty skin tone and feeling generally unwell. Most times the anaemia recovers once the inflammation is controlled by medication. Sometimes it needs to be treated by taking iron supplements and making sure that your balanced healthy eating plan is rich in iron.
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Ask your doctor or nurse to explain what type of anaemia you have so you will know the best way to treat it.
your
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Tests your doctor might have to do
