Overview
To make a rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis, your healthcare provider may refer you to a doctor who specializes in arthritis (rheumatologist). Rheumatologists diagnose people with RA based on a combination of several factors. They’ll do a physical exam and ask you about your medical history and symptoms. Your rheumatologist will also order blood tests and imaging tests.
The blood tests look for inflammation and blood proteins (antibodies) that are signs of rheumatoid arthritis. These may include:
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR or “sed rate”)
- C-reactive protein (CRP)
- Rheumatoid factor (RF) antibodies
- Cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibodies
Your rheumatologist may order imaging tests to look for signs that your joints are wearing away. Rheumatoid arthritis can cause the ends of the bones within your joints to wear down. The imaging tests may include:
- X-rays
- Ultrasounds
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans
In some cases, your provider may watch how you do over time before making a definitive diagnosis of RA.
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