Rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis

X-ray of Rheumatoid Arthritis affecting the hands
After the diagnosis is made, the physician determines if active inflammation is occurring in the body. This is done by a sedimentation rate test. In this test, blood is drawn and allowed to settle over a period of time. A high, or increasing sedimentation rate in the blood indicates active inflammation. A follow-up test determines if the inflammation is increasing or decreasing and the results determine if treatment is needed.
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