This information is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnosis, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Abnormal test values falling outside the Normal Range will be printed in bold and noted in the “Flag” column. Abnormal values should be reviewed by your primary physician and a copy of all testing should be included in your medical record for future reference and comparison.

INFLAMMATORY PROFILE

Specialized blood profile used to detect inflammatory processes caused by joint and other connective tissue diseases such as arthritis and lupus erythematosus.

Uric Acid, Serum – Uric acid is the end product of purine metabolism (purines are building blocks of RNA and DNA). Most uric acid produced in the body is excreted by the kidneys. An overproduction of uric acid occurs when there is excessive breakdown of cells, which contain purines, or an inability of the kidneys to excrete uric acid. Increased uric acid blood levels and formation of uric acid crystals in the joints are associated with gout.

Anti-Streptolysin O – detects antibodies which are produced after exposure to Group A streptococcus bacterial species. These bacteria can lead to joint and heart infections, and are responsible for rheumatic fever.

C-Reactive Protein – produced by the liver in response to bacterial infections and inflammatory processes. A high level correlates with inflammation that is occurring in the body, but does not indicate where the inflammation is located or what is causing it. A C-reactive protein test can be used to monitor the activity of certain  inflammatory conditions, such as polymyalgia rheumatica, inflammatory bowel disease, temporal arteritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (Sed Rate) – A measurement of the effects of gravity on red blood cells suspended in plasma. The higher the concentration of large molecules (such as inflammatory proteins) in the plasma, the longer it will take red blood cells to “fall,” and thus the longer the Sed Rate will be.

Rheumatoid Factor – detects antibodies commonly found in persons afflicted by rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Rheumatoid factor may also be produced in other conditions however, and its presence is not diagnostic of RA.

Anti-Nuclear Antibodies – detects antibodies to cell nuclei which are produced in certain disease states such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and other chronic inflammatory processes.