Frequent Pain Check Profile

The presence of RF means that the body has an autoimmune disease such as Rheumatoid arthritis. Symptoms of Rheumatoid arthritis include stiffness of joints, especially in the morning, pain in joints, underlying skin nodules, loss of bone and swelling of joints.   

CRP Qualitative Test detects the presence of increased CRP in blood. C-reactive Protein or CRP is an acute phase reactant protein which is produced and secreted by the liver in response to any inflammation in the body, which may be caused by tissue injury, infection, or autoimmune diseases. CRP increases in patients of post surgery or patients suffering with trauma, heart attack, autoimmune diseases, bacterial infections, sepsis, cancer, etc. CRP levels are often increased before the onset of other symptoms of inflammation such as pain, fever, etc. CRP levels in blood fall as the inflammation subsides.

 Another version of the CRP test called CRP Quantitative Test measures the levels of CRP in blood and is prescribed more routinely. CRP test is performed to determine the presence of an inflammation or to monitor the treatment and progress of an inflammatory condition. It is a non-specific test. It can neither diagnose a condition by itself nor can it determine the location of a particular inflammation or disease. Other tests along with physical examination are performed to diagnose a particular condition and determine the location.

CRP test can detect flare-ups in a chronic inflammatory condition, as well as is useful in monitoring the patient’s response to treatment.

A variant of the CRP test is the High Sensitivity C-reactive Protein Test (hs-CRP) which is more sensitive as compared to standard CRP Test since it can detect even the lowest concentration of CRP levels in the blood. The hs-CRP Test is usually performed to determine the risk of development of cardiovascular diseases in otherwise healthy individuals.

The Uric acid test measures the levels of uric acid in the blood. Uric acid is a nitrogenous compound produced by the metabolic breakdown of purine. Purines are nitrogenous bases in DNA forming parts of the structural framework of the cells. Breakdown of purines occurs when cells become old and die, forming uric acid. Uric acid is also formed from the metabolic breakdown of some types of food like red meat, seafood, beans, etc.

Most of the uric acid in the blood is filtered and eliminated by the kidneys and a small remaining amount in the stool. The concentration of uric acid in the blood can increase due to overproduction of uric acid or improper elimination of uric acid, and this condition is called Hyperuricemia. Hyperuricemia can also be caused due to cancer treatment by chemotherapy or radiotherapy. These treatment methods kill the cancer cells, which may leak the uric acid into the blood.

Excess uric acid can form crystals in the synovial fluid between the joints causing inflammation and pain. This condition is called gout and can severely damage the joints if left untreated. The Uric Acid Test can indicate the presence of gout, or risk of formation of gout. However, it is not a definitive test for gout. Confirmatory test for gout is performed by analysis of synovial fluid (joint fluid) for monosodium urate crystals. Chronic Hyperuricemia can cause the formation of tophi, which are hard lumpy deposits of uric acid crystals formed under the skin, in the joints, and at the top of the ears. Tophi cause severe damage to the joints and may compress nerves causing chronic pain and disfigurement. The excess uric acid may also deposit and crystallize in the kidneys causing kidney stones and acute renal failure.

Calcium (Ca) Test measures the levels of calcium in blood. Calcium is essential for body processes including cell signaling, blood clotting, contraction of muscles, and functioning of nerves. It plays a crucial role in the formation and maintenance of healthy bones. Deficiency of calcium results in Osteoporosis, a disease in which the bones lose their density and become soft and fragile, causing them to fracture very easily.

About 99% of the total amount of calcium received by the body is bound as calcium complex in bones, and the remaining 1% lies in blood circulation. Of the amount of calcium circulating in the blood, about half remains bound to albumin protein or other ions and are metabolically inactive, while the remaining half remains free and metabolically active. Blood Calcium tests can be of two types: Total Calcium Test used to measure the total calcium concentration in blood including both the free and bound forms, and Ionized Calcium Test used to measure the concentration of only the metabolically active form.

Calcium levels in the blood are maintained within a very narrow range by a number of mechanisms. Deviation from the normal range of calcium concentration causes Hypocalcemia (low levels of calcium), or Hypercalcemia (excess of calcium). Both these conditions impact normal body processes in the short term and may give rise to other conditions in the long term.

A blood calcium test cannot be used to check for a lack of calcium in your diet or for osteoporosis (loss of calcium from bones) as the body can have normal calcium levels even in case of dietary deficiency of Calcium. The body can augment mild calcium deficiency by releasing the calcium stored in bones.