Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Does Rheumatoid Arthritis Always Show Up In Blood Work?
Question: I guess I would like a second opinion. I have been to see an arthritis doctor and he has done testing for RA and of course checked my CRP and sed rate. They were all normal but I am having a lot of pain in both of my hands. It is in the joints and I can barely move them in the morning they are so stiff. And they get stiff if I stop moving them for any period of time. I also have pain in both of my knees, my left elbow and other joints at times. I recently went on a medical leave from work because I have felt generally ill and a lot of fatigue. I am seeing another rheumatologist Monday but I am so worried he will blow me off too if my blood work is negative. Isn't it true though that you can have rheumatoid arthritis and it not show up in blood work?
Brief Answer:
Yes. Blood work can be noral with RA.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
Yes. It is not necessary for rheumatoid arthritis to show up in the blood work. Your clinical symptoms are suggestive of rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis.
You need pain killers, hot fomentation, lubricating agents like glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin , dycerin, etc and some life style modifications and physiotherapy. Disease modifying drugs will also help you.
Right now you can continue with your pain medications and start taking calcium supplements 500mg each twice daily. This will take care of your symptoms in 3-5 days.
You can start with walking and aerobic fitness exercises, quadriceps strengthening, patellar tapping, lateral heel wedges, etc- under the guidance of your physiotherapist.
A Big No to Stair case, squatting postures, any chair which has a sitting platform lower than your knees.
Other investigations needed are Serum B12 and Serum Vit D levels and start supplements according to the levels.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Yes. Blood work can be noral with RA.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
Yes. It is not necessary for rheumatoid arthritis to show up in the blood work. Your clinical symptoms are suggestive of rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis.
You need pain killers, hot fomentation, lubricating agents like glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin , dycerin, etc and some life style modifications and physiotherapy. Disease modifying drugs will also help you.
Right now you can continue with your pain medications and start taking calcium supplements 500mg each twice daily. This will take care of your symptoms in 3-5 days.
You can start with walking and aerobic fitness exercises, quadriceps strengthening, patellar tapping, lateral heel wedges, etc- under the guidance of your physiotherapist.
A Big No to Stair case, squatting postures, any chair which has a sitting platform lower than your knees.
Other investigations needed are Serum B12 and Serum Vit D levels and start supplements according to the levels.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Note: For further information on diet changes to reduce allergy symptoms or to boost your immunity, Ask here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
