Our Arthritis & Inflammation Package Explained
What are the tests in the Arthritis & Inflammation Package?
Chronic pain, stiffness, or swelling in your joints can be more than just discomfort—it may be a sign of underlying inflammation or an autoimmune condition. Arthritis, gout, and other inflammatory diseases can impact mobility, daily activities, and overall quality of life. Our Arthritis & Inflammation Profile is designed to assess key biomarkers that indicate inflammation, immune system activity, and potential autoimmune disorders. By identifying these markers early, you can take proactive steps toward managing symptoms, reducing flare-ups, and improving long-term joint health. Whether you’re experiencing persistent joint pain or have a family history of autoimmune diseases, this test provides critical insights to help guide your next steps.
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!
Full package: R1,035
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.
Book with Epicentre
For 20 years Epicentre has been studying wellness in South Africa. 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!
