Thinking of paying for a blood test. What do I go for?

[Doubledenimrocks]

About 2 years ago I had an episode where my wrists and hands suddenly started hurting. They were really bad for quite a few weeks (couldn't lift anything) but gradually got better. I went to the GP who referred me for x-rays which were clear. They suggested it might be a post viral arthritis. I had a health screen with a nurse when I had some fillers and she suggested there might be something auto-immune going on as I also have quite a severe allergic reaction to cold exposure.

Since then I go through phases where they flare again. Both my wrists and hands are sore and feel weak - lifting the kettle was a struggle today but I can't quite figure out why. There is no specific point of pain, it's more generalised.

I'm was thinking of paying for a blood test to see if there are any signs of inflammation. Have had a look online and you can obviously get all sorts. Is there anything specifically I should be looking for? TIA

ESR, CRP, Anti-CCP, Rheumatoid factor (RA Latex) FBC are always ordered by our Drs

additionally things like thyroid issues, b12 deficiency and vitamin D deficiency & even low iron can cause pains so they also routinely add

TFT, B12/Folate, ferritin, Vitamin D

It's best to have the tests taken during a flare up as the inflammatory markers may be normal in between.

Will/has not the GP ordered the tests required to see if you have arthritis or markers of inflammatory markers?

I'd ask them to run the tests and provide further referral to have it looked at, rather than going private at this stage. The GP will usually run a routine blood count on top of any applicable enquiries and you can then go on from there if needs be.

When you say you have an allergic reaction to cold exposure, what does that look like in real terms? symptoms etc.

Has your GP refused to do more tests? I had odd pains in my arms and hands and it was found to be down to a vitamin D deficiency that they found with a blood test.

Why are you feeling you need to pay for a test? This should be offered to you from your GP.

I also have quite a severe allergic reaction to cold exposure.

What does this look like? It could be raynauds, I get this if I don’t keep my hands warm.

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raynaud_syndrome

OP, go back to your GP and explain to them the symptoms you've been having, for how long, how often they occur. Give as much detail as possible. Push for further testing. You've no need to pay for private testing at this point.

Thanks all. I really hate going to the GP. I always feel like such a time waster.

My cold reaction seems to have got worse as I've aged. I swell up significantly and come out in hives. I did want to start wild swimming but I worry that this would be quite dangerous as the last time I went it was quite a severe reaction (have attached a photo of my ankle - I know it doesn't look that bad but my whole body was like that so it was very uncomfortable). It's not being cold as such it's exposure to cold. For instance if I held a cold can from the fridge on my arm that area would become raised and then itchy. I do get Raynaud's symptoms, in my hands.