Laboratory Test Directory

Rheumatology

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 Sjögren’s 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 body’s 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