Back to Homepage
The diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis can be accomplished by visiting a doctor, whether it’s your primary care that sends you to see a rheumatologist. But certainly your medical history, your symptoms, a good physical exam, looking at your joints, your hands and feet and other joints can certainly help the doctor with the diagnoses. You can do labs, looking at x-rays and MRIs. An ultrasound can also help with the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. There are certain antibodies for rheumatoid arthritis, including rheumatory factor and anti CCP antibody. But there are also other newer antibodies that can also be ordered for rheumatoid arthritis. Initially, when a specialist is considering that diagnoses, you don’t necessarily have to have auto antibodies. Sometimes you can have elevated inflammatory markers and rheumatologists can also diagnose you with rheumatoid arthritis without the blood markers. There are some changes that could be seen on the x-ray or ultrasound and MRI that could confirm the diagnosis.
