If you think you have RA, even if your symptoms are mild, see your doctor. It's important to start treatment asap, esp if you've had symptoms for more than 3mths. Treatment tries to reduce inflammation to limit damage to your joints. If left untreated, RA may lead to serious disability. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, examine you and may ask about your medical history. There's no single test to diagnose RA but your doctor may refer you for 1 or more of the following:a blood test for a marker called rheumatoid factor, present in 8 in 10 people with RA; anti-CCP antibody testing; blood tests for anaemia(not enough blood cells or haemoglobin in your blood)-8 in 10 people with RA have anaemia; an X-ray, ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) to look for changes in your joints.
Attribution: BUPA