Laboratory diagnostics

Did you know?

A swollen, painful knee at first always looks similar. Behind it there may be joint wear, a rheumatic disease, an attack of gout or an infection. Treatment differs fundamentally in these cases. A targeted blood test helps to distinguish these causes before therapy begins.

What we examine, depending on the question:

• Inflammatory markers such as CRP and ESR, as well as the blood count
• Rheumatology values, for example rheumatoid factor, CCP antibodies or HLA-B27
• Uric acid if gout is suspected
• Vitamin D, calcium and further markers of bone metabolism
• Borrelia antibodies in the case of joint symptoms after a tick bite
• Muscle values such as creatine kinase in muscle complaints
• Thyroid values that can affect muscles and bones

Particularly suitable for:

• Joint swelling with warmth or redness
• Symptoms in several joints at the same time
• Morning stiffness lasting longer than half an hour
• Joint complaints with fever or fatigue
• Joint pain after a tick bite
• Before the start of, and during, treatment for osteoporosis
• Rheumatic diseases in the family

What we determine on site

We analyse the full blood count and CRP directly in the practice. These results are available to you during the same appointment – with an inflamed joint, that is often the difference between treating immediately and waiting.

Further tests, such as a full blood count or histological examinations, are carried out by a partner laboratory. Depending on the question, it takes a few days to about a week for the result to be available. We will contact you as soon as it is ready.

How we proceed:

We do not determine values on mere suspicion. Before the blood sample we pose a specific question. Which values are useful follows from your symptoms and the physical examination.

We discuss the results with you in detail and relate them to your findings. What matters here is that laboratory values are one building block, not a verdict on their own. A normal uric acid value does not rule out an attack of gout, and an abnormal rheumatology value does not automatically mean a rheumatic disease. Only together with the examination and imaging does a reliable picture emerge.

Talk to us – we will be glad to advise you in person.