How To Test For The Rare Disease Relapsing Polychondritis

Relapsing Polychondritis lab tests

How To Test For The Rare Disease Relapsing Polychondritis 

Relapsing Polychondritis is a rare disease that has no specific test to confirm a diagnosis. 

The lack of a Relapsing Polychondritis test can be frustrating for patients and doctors. 

A doctor could recognize that a patient may have the rare disease, Relapsing Polychondritis by red, inflammation of the cartilage or from the patient’s health history. 

How To Test For the Rare Disease Relapsing Polychondritis

If a physician suspects a patient has the rare disease 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.

The rare disease Relapsing Polychondritis has links to many multisystemic diseases.

If a physician suspects or confirms the rare disease 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 fifty percent of Relapsing Polychondritis patients, there is confirmation of thrombocytosis, leukocytosis, and normochromic normocytic anemia.

What Is Thrombocytosis?

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? 

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?

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

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 non-invasive 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.

What Is Pulmonary Function Testing

Echocardiogram Test

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 How To Test For The Rare Disease Relapsing Polychondritis helpful.

You may also find these Relapsing Polychondritis web links useful:

The following are web links that may help you in your healthcare journey:

 

 

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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