My mom (who I just met because I'm adopted) just told me that my grand mother died of RA. I've got some painful joints in my fingers so I thought I could go get a bld test. Is that how it's diagnosed?
Michele

My mom (who I just met because I'm adopted) just told me that my grand mother died of RA. I've got some painful joints in my fingers so I thought I could go get a bld test. Is that how it's diagnosed?
Michele
I am new to RA...What my rumy did was check my bones and did blood work. That along with my sympotms is how i was diagnosed. It is better to get checked sooner than later.
good luck

i am 18 and have had RA for 2 years now and that is also how i got tested and confirmed results for my arthritis. i was then put on to a RA specialist for checkups..medications.. etc..

Pain in the finger joints could be RA or other things - most concerning would be hemochromatosis, which is a very manageable disease if you have it. I doubt you do, but just wanted to throw that out there so you are aware of it. Lots of other symptoms with hemochromatosis - but finger joint pain is often a first sign.

For me, it didn't show up in my blood test right away. My primary Dr. thought it was Lupus, fibromyalgia... Once I FINALLY got an appt with a rhuem. I got the correct diagnosis. You can have RA and it not show up in your blood for a long time...