Chronic Inflammatory Disease Blood Test

What is Chronic Inflammatory Disease?

Chronic inflammatory disease is a group of conditions characterized by persistent inflammation affecting multiple organ systems including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and inflammatory bowel disease. These conditions are caused by immune system overactivity where the body attacks its own tissues, producing elevated levels of acute phase reactants and inflammatory proteins. The Protein, Total and Protein Electrophoresis test is the most important test for diagnosing chronic inflammatory disease because it reveals specific protein patterns and inflammatory markers elevated during active inflammation.

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What causes chronic inflammatory disease?

Chronic inflammatory disease is caused by immune system dysfunction where your body mistakenly attacks its own healthy tissues and organs. This autoimmune response triggers the release of inflammatory cytokines like interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and C-reactive protein (CRP), which sustain ongoing inflammation. Environmental factors, genetic predisposition, infections, and lifestyle factors like stress and poor diet can all trigger or worsen this immune system overactivity, leading to conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, inflammatory bowel disease, and psoriasis.

What is the best test for chronic inflammatory disease?

The Protein, Total and Protein Electrophoresis test is the most important test for chronic inflammatory disease because it analyzes different protein fractions in your blood and reveals elevated acute phase reactants that rise during inflammation. This test shows specific protein patterns including increased alpha-1 and alpha-2 globulins, which are hallmark signs of active inflammation. For a more comprehensive evaluation, the Protein Electrophoresis and Kappa/Lambda Light Chains test provides advanced protein analysis that detects elevated beta-2 globulin levels and abnormal light chain patterns associated with chronic inflammation. The Rubella Immune Status test can also reveal immune system abnormalities linked to autoimmune inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

When should I get tested for chronic inflammatory disease?

You should get tested if you experience persistent joint pain, stiffness, or swelling that lasts more than six weeks, unexplained fatigue that interferes with daily activities, recurring fevers without clear infection, or digestive issues like chronic diarrhea and abdominal pain. Testing is also important if you notice skin rashes or changes, unexplained weight loss, or if you have a family history of autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or inflammatory bowel disease. Early detection through blood testing helps identify inflammation markers before irreversible organ damage occurs and allows for timely treatment to manage symptoms and prevent progression.

What are the symptoms of chronic inflammatory disease?
Chronic inflammatory disease symptoms include persistent joint pain, stiffness, and swelling, especially in the morning or after periods of rest. You might experience ongoing fatigue that sleep does not relieve, unexplained fevers, skin rashes or changes like redness and scaling, and digestive problems including chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain, or bloody stools. Other common symptoms include muscle weakness, numbness or tingling in extremities, dry eyes and mouth, chest pain or shortness of breath, and unintentional weight loss. The specific symptoms depend on which organs the inflammation affects, and many people experience flare-ups where symptoms worsen followed by periods of remission.
Who is at risk for chronic inflammatory disease?
People with a family history of autoimmune conditions have significantly higher risk for developing chronic inflammatory disease due to genetic predisposition. Women are two to three times more likely than men to develop most autoimmune inflammatory conditions, particularly during childbearing years. Other risk factors include smoking, which increases risk for rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, exposure to certain infections or environmental toxins, obesity which promotes inflammatory processes, and high stress levels that can trigger immune dysfunction. Individuals of certain ethnic backgrounds, such as people of African, Hispanic, or Asian descent, have higher rates of specific inflammatory conditions like lupus and inflammatory bowel disease.
What happens if chronic inflammatory disease is left untreated?
Untreated chronic inflammatory disease leads to progressive and irreversible organ damage as ongoing inflammation destroys healthy tissues. Joint destruction occurs in rheumatoid arthritis, causing permanent deformities and disability, while lupus can damage kidneys leading to kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplant. Inflammatory bowel disease increases risk for colon cancer and intestinal perforation, and chronic inflammation throughout the body raises your risk for cardiovascular disease, stroke, and osteoporosis. The persistent immune system activation also causes severe fatigue, chronic pain that diminishes quality of life, and can lead to premature death if vital organs like the heart, lungs, or kidneys become severely damaged.
Can chronic inflammatory disease be diagnosed with a blood test?
Blood tests are essential tools for diagnosing chronic inflammatory disease and detecting specific inflammation markers and immune system abnormalities. Tests like Protein Electrophoresis reveal elevated acute phase reactants including alpha-1 and alpha-2 globulins that indicate active inflammation, while additional tests can measure C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and autoantibodies specific to different conditions. However, blood tests are used alongside your symptoms, physical examination findings, and imaging studies to confirm diagnosis, as no single blood test definitively diagnoses all chronic inflammatory diseases. Your healthcare provider will order a panel of tests tailored to your specific symptoms to identify the underlying inflammatory condition and guide treatment.
How is chronic inflammatory disease treated?
Chronic inflammatory disease is treated with medications that suppress immune system overactivity and reduce inflammation, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids for acute flares, and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) like methotrexate. Biologic medications that target specific inflammatory pathways, such as TNF-alpha inhibitors and interleukin blockers, have revolutionized treatment by controlling inflammation at the molecular level. Treatment also includes lifestyle modifications like regular exercise to maintain joint function and reduce inflammation, an anti-inflammatory diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, stress management techniques, adequate sleep, and avoiding smoking. Your doctor will create a personalized treatment plan based on which organs are affected and the severity of your inflammation.
How can I prevent chronic inflammatory disease?
While you cannot prevent chronic inflammatory disease entirely if you have genetic risk factors, you can reduce your risk and delay onset by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke exposure, which are major triggers for rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Eat an anti-inflammatory diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fatty fish high in omega-3s, and minimize processed foods, refined sugars, and trans fats. Maintain a healthy weight through regular physical activity, as obesity promotes inflammatory processes, manage stress through meditation, yoga, or other relaxation techniques, and get adequate sleep of seven to nine hours nightly to support immune system regulation.
What natural remedies help with chronic inflammatory disease?
Natural remedies that help manage chronic inflammatory disease include omega-3 fatty acid supplements from fish oil, which reduce production of inflammatory cytokines and improve joint stiffness. Turmeric containing curcumin has powerful anti-inflammatory properties that may decrease inflammation markers, while ginger also reduces inflammatory compounds and provides pain relief. Probiotics support gut health and immune function, which is particularly important for inflammatory bowel disease. Regular gentle exercise like swimming, walking, or yoga maintains joint flexibility and reduces inflammation without causing flare-ups. Heat and cold therapy provide symptom relief, and stress reduction techniques like meditation and deep breathing help regulate immune function. Always inform your healthcare provider about any supplements or natural remedies you use, as some may interact with prescription medications.
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Long story short:
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  2. If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test.
  3. Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout.
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  5. When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system.
  6. Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way.
  7. You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy!
  8. If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.
How do I know which test to get?
In the test options, find the test you want. If you’re not sure which test to get, we can lend a hand in finding the right option.

Just text or call us at 754-799-7833, email us at support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you. We've got your back and reply quickly.
Is it possible to make changes to my lab order if I made a mistake with the name, date of birth, or any other details?
Absolutely! We totally understand that errors can happen. No worries, we're here to help you.

Just reach out to us via text at 754-799-7833 or shoot us an email at support@privatemdlabs.com. Remember to include your order number and let us know the correct information you’d like to update. Our awesome team will jump right in and make sure everything is sorted out and accurate for you.

There are no changes necessary if your address is wrong on the requisition though. We don’t mail anything out.

Our lab requires an address to be listed to generate an order.
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Only HSA & FSA is accepted.

Our services are strictly self-pay and cannot be submitted to your health insurance provider except for Health Savings Accounts or Flexible Savings Accounts.

This policy applies to all insurance companies, including federal health insurance programs like Medicare.

If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com.
Can I cancel my order?
Yes.

We get it – sometimes your needs change.

As long as your samples haven’t been collected yet, we’re happy to help you cancel your order.

If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com.

You can read more about our cancellation policy here.
How can I find a lab location near me?
During the ordering process, you’ll be able to select a specific lab near you, with no strings attached! You can switch it up later easily and visit any of our authorized locations as long as it’s the same lab company you selected your test for (Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp).

Before you proceed with your order, feel free to browse through all our lab locations here. This will give you the peace of mind of knowing that there's a lab nearby your home, office or your favorite gym.

If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.
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Protein, Total and Protein Electrophoresis
Google reviews 505 reviews
$173 $135
What's included
Fast & easy, results by email & SMS
No need to visit a doctor
Private & confidential
No insurance needed
Results explained
No extra fees paid at the lab

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