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What Are the Tests in The Arthritis & Inflamation Profile Package?
If you are at risk for arthritis and other inflammatory issues, these tests are crucial to take control of your health.
Please note that our packages are just a guide, you can pick any of these tests, add extra tests or take out any test. Choose what suits your needs!
The Arthritis & Inflamation Profile Package Explained
This test looks for abnormalities in your blood, such as unusually high or low numbers of blood cells. This common blood test can help to diagnose a wide range of illnesses, infections and diseases. Doctors use this test to find abnormalities and then use further tests to find the source of these abnormalities.
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
This blood test measures how quickly red blood cells (erythrocytes), separate from a blood sample that has been treated, so the blood will not clot. The test is most useful for diagnosing and/or monitoring diseases that cause pain and swelling from inflammation. These diseases include: Temporal arthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis & Polymyalgia rheumatica.
C-reactive Protein test (CRP)
This test is used to find inflammation in your body. Inflammation could be caused by different types of conditions, such as an infection or autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease. This test measures the amount of CRP in your blood. CRP is a protein made by the liver and sent into the bloodstream. Blood levels may be higher when you have inflammation or an infection.
A uric acid blood test, also known as a serum uric acid measurement, determines how much uric acid is present in your blood. The test can help determine how well your body produces and removes uric acid. Most commonly, the test is used to: diagnose and monitor people with gout, monitor people who are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment, check kidney function after an injury, find the cause of kidney stones, diagnose kidney disorders. You may need a uric acid test if: you have joint pain or swelling that may be related to gout, you’re currently undergoing chemotherapy, you’re about to start chemotherapy, you have frequent kidney stones & you’ve been diagnosed with gout in the past.
A Rheumatoid Factor (RF) blood test is mainly used by doctors to help find out if someone has rheumatoid arthritis, a condition that causes pain and swelling in the joints. This test can also help tell rheumatoid arthritis apart from other health issues that have similar symptoms. Sometimes, the test is used to see how severe the arthritis is or how well treatment is working. While this test can be helpful, it’s important to remember that having rheumatoid factor in your blood doesn’t always mean you have arthritis, as it can be found in healthy people too, especially as they get older.
Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) Test
We offer the ANA test because it’s a key step in figuring out why someone might be experiencing unexplained inflammation and symptoms like joint pain or fatigue. This test checks if your immune system is mistakenly attacking your own body, a common sign of autoimmune diseases such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. A positive ANA result suggests your body might be attacking itself, this guides us towards further testing to pinpoint the exact issue and the best way to manage your health.
Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide (anti-CCP) Blood Test
If your doctor thinks you might have rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a disease that makes your joints hurt and swell, they might suggest you get an anti-CCP blood test. This test is really good at spotting RA, sometimes even before you feel really sick. It can help your doctor know for sure if you have RA and not some other joint problem. Plus, if the test says you do have RA, it can give your doctor clues about how severe it might be, which helps in choosing the best treatment for you early on.
The Arthritis & Inflamation Profile Package Procedure
Coming in for this package is easy. You can book a test on our site or just come through to one of our Drive-Thru testing centres. One of our nurses will take a little blood from you and use it to test for the health targets identified in this package.
Who Should Get The Arthritis & Inflamation Profile Package?
Having The Arthritis & Inflamation Profile Package is Helpful if:
You are looking to get a test done for an upcoming Dr appointment
You have experienced pain & inflammation
You have been asked by your doctor to do these tests
You have a personal or family history of arthritis
When Should You Get The Arthritis & Inflamation Profile Package?
This package is crucial for those suffering from inflammation issues and should be done as often as recommended by your doctor to assist with diagnosis & treatment.
What Time Should I Come For My Test?
We would recommend coming in the morning, as the test requires at least 4hrs of fasting. We would also recommend abstaining from drinking alcohol & certain medications, such as aspirin (Bufferin) and ibuprofen (Motrin IB) at least 12hrs before this test.
How Can the Arthritis & Inflamation Profile Package Help You?
You need knowledge to take control over your health. This package will help you get that.
This package is all round series of tests which is particularly useful for those at risk for arthritis and other conditions which cause inflammation. So it will help you check on your overarching health and give you more information on which areas of your body you may need to focus on more.
Can I Get Extra Tests With This Package?
Yes! Our tests are fully customisable.
You can build your own custom packages, choose which tests you would like by ticking on the menu provided to you during your test. You can eliminate tests that you don’t need or add on extra tests if you require them.
Want a single test? You can monitor a specific aspect of your health with ease at our Walk-In Lab.
Book with Epicentre
For 20 years Epicentre has been fighting South African’s infectious diseases, and now we’re taking on COVID-19! We are a company founded on a vision, ending disease in South Africa! So we believe in making an IMPACT.
We are an independent organization that is committed to creating a positive impact on health & wellness for all in South Africa. We want to close the gap between unscreened, undiagnosed, and uncontrolled HIV & COVID-19 infections as well as other chronic diseases for all South Africans.
By booking your tests with Epicentre, you are supporting a real local company that has worked for 20 years in all 9 provinces, from Pollsmoor prison to Constantia; & you’re getting a gold standard service that experts trust!