Arthritis & Inflammation Marker Panel Test

Autoimmune and Inflammation Marker Test Panel

This blood test measures 7+ key markers related to autoimmune and inflammatory activity, including markers often considered in conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and psoriatic arthritis. Read more

Test details

Sample type:

Blood

Preparation:

No special preparation is required.

Test type: In Person

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$199.00

+ $6.00 Physician Service Fee

Quantity

About the test

This blood test measures 7+ key markers that are related to inflammatory diseases, conditions that are caused by chronic inflammation in the body, and autoimmune activity. These include antinuclear antibodies (ANA), rheumatoid factor (RF), cyclic citrullinated peptides (CCP), mutated citrullinated vimentin (MCV), 14-3-3 eta protein, c-reactive protein (CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate by modified Westergren (ESR) – markers that are commonly evaluated when autoimmune or arthritic conditions are suspected.

Chronic inflammation, as indicated by abnormal results on these tests, can appear in autoimmune and connective-tissue conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE), psoriatic arthritis, and Sjögren’s syndrome, as well as other inflammatory diseases. Some autoimmune diseases can worsen over time, and can cause permanent, painful damage to tissues, organs, and joints if left untreated. Measuring these inflammation and autoimmune markers can help you and your healthcare provider better understand whether immune activity may be contributing to symptoms like joint pain, fatigue, or stiffness.

This test can be useful if you are exploring persistent inflammation, monitoring an autoimmune condition, or seeking clearer answers about unexplained joint or immune-related symptoms. Testing may be especially helpful if you have a family history, or you have new or ongoing symptoms. By getting tested, you and your healthcare provider can help understand the cause of your symptoms and identify next steps.

No doctor’s visit needed. Buy this inflammation and autoimmune marker panel test online and visit a nearby Quest location.

This test may be right for you if any of the following are true:

You have a family history of:
- Autoimmune inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE), psoriatic arthritis, or Sjögren’s syndrome
- Rheumatic or rheumatoid arthritis disease
You are experiencing signs and symptoms of inflammation, arthritis, and autoimmune diseases (see Signs and symptoms section below).

Please note: This test alone is not diagnostic of inflammatory conditions. It is important to follow up with your healthcare provider. They will review your results along with your medical history and signs and symptoms to determine next steps.

This test includes the following process:

An ANA Screen Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA) is done first to look for antinuclear autoantibodies in human cells.

If the ANA Screen IFA is positive, testing will occur to look for dsDNA, Sm/RNP, RNP, Sm, and Chromatin antibodies. If any of those five antibodies are positive, the cascade stops, and the results are reported
If all five of those antibodies are negative, testing will continue and look for SSA, SSB, Scl-70, and Jo-1 antibodies. If any of those four antibodies are positive, the cascade stops, and the results are reported
If all four of those antibodies are negative, testing will continue and look for Ribosomal P and Centromere B

Please note: After the initial ANA Screen by IFA, testing will stop when the first positive antibody result(s) in a group is found. It is possible that antibodies in subsequent groups are also positive but will not be tested or reported.

Rheumatoid factor is a type of autoantibody that can attack and damage healthy tissue and is typically found in the blood of people who have rheumatoid arthritis.

Cyclic citrullinated peptide is a type of autoantibody that can attack and damage healthy tissues, especially those in your joints, and is typically found in people who have rheumatoid arthritis.

Mutated citrullinated vimentin is a type of antibody typically found in people who have more severe or further progressed rheumatoid arthritis.

14-3-3 eta proteins are often found in the blood of people with rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis. Levels are typically higher in people with active joint disease when compared to people without, and these levels can support a diagnosis and help predict severity of the disease.

C-reactive protein is a protein made by the liver in response to inflammation or infection in the body. Elevated CRP levels are found in the blood of people with inflammatory conditions and in people with anemia. CRP is also useful in monitoring inflammatory disease states.

This test measures how quickly red blood cells settle in a test tube. A faster rate can indicate inflammation in the body. This test is often used to assess and monitor inflammatory conditions.

Signs and symptoms of autoimmune diseases can vary from mild to severe, depending on the cause. Consider discussing your risk factors for autoimmune diseases with your healthcare provider if you’re experiencing any of the following signs or symptoms:

Inflammation (redness, heat, swelling and pain) in one or more parts of your body
Tired all the time
Swollen glands
Stiff, painful joints
Weak or achy muscles
Abdominal pain/digestive problems
No appetite
Rashes, sores, dry/scaly skin
Fevers
Breathing troubles/shortness of breath

Signs and symptoms of RA can vary, especially since there are flare ups (when the signs and symptoms are worse) and times of remission (when the signs and symptoms are better). Consider discussing your risk factors for RA with your healthcare provider if you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms:

Tiredness
Joint aches and pains (especially in body parts on both sides of the body)
Joint stiffness (especially in body parts on both sides of the body)
Joint swelling and tenderness (especially in body parts on both sides of the body)
Fevers
Weakness

You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a test on questhealth.com. This test requires specimen collection at a Quest Diagnostic location or through Quest Mobile™, a convenient option for in-home sample collection*. Collection not available in AK, AZ, or HI.

*Check your zip code here for service availability, not available in all locations.

No special preparation is required.

After you provide your specimen, it generally takes 5 business days to process and release your test results. However, processing times may vary. Your test results will be available in a clear and easy-to-read report. If you have or create a MyQuest^® account, you can review your new results there with your other Quest results. If your results differ from expected ranges, you may receive an alert call from an independent healthcare coordinator. Independent physicians are available to discuss questions or concerns you may have regarding your results.

If your ANA Screen is positive for antinuclear autoantibodies, the lab will perform additional tests on the sample you have already provided at no extra cost to you. This additional testing can provide additional diagnostic information to help with care.

How it works

questhealth.com offers 100+ consumer-initiated Quest Diagnostics lab tests to empower you to have more control over your health journey. Choose from a variety of test types that best suit your needs.

In-person
In-home sample collection

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No doctor visit is required for purchase.

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Register your test
& schedule an appointment

Book a visit to one of 2000+ Quest locations.

Visit Quest for sample collection

Complete your test sample collection during your scheduled appointment.

Get fast results

Access results online as soon as they’re available. You will be emailed when they are ready. Discuss your results with an independent physician at no extra cost. Treatment options may be available.

Buy a lab test
+ in-home sample collection

No doctor visit required for purchase. If in-home service is available in your area, purchase for an additional $79 fee.

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Register your test
& schedule an appointment

After you make a purchase, register your test and Quest Mobile will contact you to schedule an in-home sample collection appointment.

In-home sample collection

A Quest Mobile phlebotomist will collect your sample and deliver it to Quest Diagnostics.

Get fast results

Access results online as soon as they’re available. You will be emailed when they are ready. Discuss your results with an independent physician at no extra cost. Treatment options may be available.

FAQs

What are antibodies and autoantibodies?

Antibodies are proteins in your blood that your body’s immune system makes when it meets something that is not supposed to be in your body, such as a virus or bacteria. This helps our body to fight off disease. Autoantibodies are also proteins in your blood, but they are made in response to our own body’s tissue. This causes our body to think of itself as a threat and tries to fight it, causing damage and keeping our body from working the right way.

Are there risk factors for RA to be aware of?

You may be more likely to develop RA if you have any of the following risk factors:

Sex – Females are two to three times more likely to develop RA
Age – Risk of developing RA increases with older age
Family History/Genetics – Being related to someone who has RA, and several genetic factors may increase the risk of developing RA
Obesity – Being obese increases risk of developing RA and treatment may not be as effective
Periodontitis – Diseased gums may cause an increased risk of developing RA
Smoking – Long periods of smoking increases risk of developing RA, and continued smoking can increase the effects of the disease
Lung Disease – Diseases of the lungs and airways may cause an increased risk of developing RA

Can I use my FSA or HSA funds to purchase tests on questhealth.com?

You may be able to use your FSA or HSA funds to purchase lab tests at questhealth.com. Please review your FSA/HSA plan or check with a tax professional to confirm specific requirements for individual eligibility.

Our references

1. National Institutes of Health News in Health. Understanding Autoimmune Diseases. Accessed October 30, 2025. https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2022/06/understanding-autoimmune-diseases

2. NIH National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Rheumatoid Arthritis. Accessed October 30, 2025. https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/rheumatoid-arthritis

Tests purchased on questhealth.com are only for individuals who intend to pay directly for testing and do not want to submit a claim for reimbursement under their health insurance.

Autoimmune and Inflammation Marker Test Panel