Relapsing Polychondritis Testing
Relapsing Polychondritis Testing
Health/ Health Reference
My experience with Relapsing Polychondritis testing is full of frustration.
The frustration I experience is because no specific test is used to confirm a Relapsing Polychondritis diagnosis.
A doctor could recognize that a patient may have the rare disease, Relapsing Polychondritis by red, inflammation of the cartilage.
If a physician suspects a patient has Relapsing Polychondritis then they may order these lab tests:
- ESR Elevated Erythrocytes Sedimentation Rate
- C-Reactive Protein
The above lab tests may show if there is inflammation in the body.
Relapsing Polychondritis has links to many multisystemic diseases.
If the doctor suspects or confirms Relapsing Polychondritis the physician may also order these lab tests:
- (CBC) Complete blood cell count
- (ANA) Antinuclear antibody
- (ANCA) Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody
- Metabolic panel
- Liver transaminase
- Serum creatinine
- Serum alkaline phosphatase studies
- Cryoglobulins
- Viral hepatitis panel
In 50 percent of Relapsing Polychondritis patients, there is confirmation of thrombocytosis, leukocytosis, and normochromic normocytic anemia.
What Is Thrombocytosis? (Health Reference)
Thrombocytosis is a condition where there is high platelet count in the blood. Thrombocytosis or thrombocythemia may be primary or secondary.
If you have Thrombocytosis there is a larger risk of blood clots or bleeding complications.
What Is Leukocytosis? (Health Reference)
Leukocytosis occurs when a person has too many (WBC) white blood cells in their blood.
Increased Leukocytosis signals an inflammatory ailment. The high WBC signs that inflammation may be caused by infection, bone tumor or leukemia.
What is Normochromic Normocytic Anemia? (Health Reference)
Normochromic Normocytic Anemia is a condition in which there is reduced delivery of oxygen to the tissues; it is not actually a disease but rather a symptom of any of numerous different disorders
If Anemia normochromic and normocytic is present, there is an association with a poor prognosis with Relapsing Polychondritis.
The doctor may also ask that suspicious Relapsing Polychondritis tissue cartilage is biopsied.
Relapsing Polychondritis Biopsy (Health Reference)
A biopsy can reveal nonspecific signs of inflammation.
If a patient presents respiratory symptoms and is confirmed or is suspected to have Relapsing Polychondritis, then a doctor may order (PFT) Pulmonary Function Tests.
What Are Pulmonary Function Tests?
(PFT) Pulmonary Function Tests are noninvasive tests that measure:
- Lung volume
- Rates of flow
- Gas exchange
- Lung capacity
There are two methods of Pulmonary Function Tests:
Plethysmography– the patient takes the pulmonary function test while they sit or stand inside a giant glass box.
The glass box resembles an oversized closet.
Spirometry– A small medical device that is attached to a mouthpiece.
Echocardiogram Test (Health Reference)
The doctor may order an ECG Echocardiogram to see if that are signs of vasculitis.
An echocardiogram may also be needed to the understand the degree of aortic regurgitation.
I hope you have found these Relapsing Polychondritis Testing health references helpful.
You may also find these Relapsing Polychondritis health reference web links useful:
Health References/ Resources:
http://www.medicinenet.com/relapsing_polychondritis/page2.htm
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/331475-workup#c5
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/test_procedures/pulmonary/pulmonary_function_tests_92,P07759/
https://www.britannica.com/science/blood-disease/Normocytic-normochromic-anemias
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5175060/
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/thrombocytosis/basics/definition/con-20032674
http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/normocytic+normochromic+anemia
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