These blood results and symptoms… Inflammatory arthritis?

[BoBoHill]

Had bloods done last week:

White cell count and Platelets were above reference range
ESR and CRP were above reference range
Mean cell haemoglobin concentration and level were below reference range

Still waiting on Vitamin D

My main symptoms are:
Frequent banging headaches like migraines
Painful stiff fingers
Fatigue and low mood

I do also have psoriasis

I’m having bloods done again next week but I’m hoping I can be referred to a Rheumatologist.

Psoriatic arthritis is a sero-negative disease so with your symptoms it should be assumed you have it anyway. The fact you do have clear evidence of active inflammation going on would seem to seal the deal, for a referral and treatment.

Good luck. I've psoriatic arthritis and treatment with biologics has really helped. (You may be a long way off that though.) Diet can also help.

That’s what I thought @AutumnCrow. I’ve had painful fingers for a couple of years now and have previously asked my GP to refer me to rheumatology only to be sent to a physiotherapist who felt my pain isn’t inflammatory but cause by hyper-mobility. Very frustrating.

I would’ve thought that finger pain/stiffness and a history of psoriasis should be enough for referral

GP here who also has RA.

I would have thought you absolutely need a referral to Rheumatology with those symptoms, history of psoriasis and blood test results.

Our local rheumatology team stress referral should be based on clinical suspicion not just results, as these can be normal in some inflammatory arthritis and early diagnosis and treatment is really important.

Good luck, hope you can make progress and get help with your symptoms.

Had more bloods done this week (to make sure the previous set weren’t a blip)

ESR and CRP still above reference range and higher than last week

White Cell count still above reference range (neutrophils, eosinophils, and monocytes above reference range)

Platelets still above reference range

Mean cell haemoglobin concentration and level and mean cell volume below reference range

I’m hoping I can get a referral now. My fingers have been so stiff and painful this week it’s really getting me down. I’ve been given naproxen but it doesn’t seem to have made any difference to the pain.

Oh and I had rheumatoid factor done which was normal