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Questions about blood tests for RA

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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Posted 6/3/2006 4:06 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, I have had problems of hands that hurt in the morning, wake me up when i am lseeping as well as my feet at times. 

Question...

My mopther has RA, would this pass on to son?

Does anyone know quickly what the following tests check for.

Sed rate

ANA(Reflex)

RA(Reflex)

RPR serology

My doctor has ordered these up, and I am unsure especially what the RA and RPR are for

Thnaks

Posted 6/3/2006 10:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hey js_davis, welcome to the Arthritis Forum... to answer your questions, Yes, your mother could have passed RA on to you... and as far as your bloodwork, you should have the results within a couple of days. I know when I get my labwork done, it only takes 2 - 3 days... Have you already had your blood drawn? Are you being seen by a rheumatologist or did your primary doc order these labs? Take care and let us know how you are doing! Duck
Posted 6/3/2006 11:22 PM (GMT 0)

Duck, Thanks for responding.  I also wanted to know if you know what these tests are, especially the ra test.  Is that a test for arthritis?

JS

Posted 6/3/2006 11:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hi and welcome to HW,Ducky is right Ra can be handed down from mother to child and as well as Dad to child.I would like to point out that some times the blood work that they do to test for RA can come back negative and you can still have RA.Ducky is right it userley (sp)takes about tow to four day's to get the blood work back.
Posted 6/4/2006 12:44 AM (GMT 0)

I'm not sure what all of those tests specifically test for, but the test that they normally use for rheumatoid arthritis is the RF (rheumatoid factor).  If you have a positive RF, it means you are making abnormal antibodies in your blood that are consistent with RA, but also with a host of other autoimmune diseases (Lupus, Scleroderma, etc....).  So, you can see that it is not accurate in pinpointing RA, but it helps.  A lot of people have RA, though, and don't have a positive RF.  I'm sure that Erin, our resident nurse can explain a bit more to you.

Elcamino

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