Most rheumatologic diagnoses are made on the basis of clinical evaluation and consequently require a careful history and focused clinical examination. Although laboratory testing is helpful, it should be remembered that there are very few specific diagnostic tests and there is no value in a rheumatology screening panel. Laboratory testing should, therefore, be reserved for the establishment of a diagnosis and exclusion of alternative differential diagnoses, to determine prognosis and stage of disease, to monitor disease activity and response to therapy, to determine patient suitability for a particular treatment option and, finally, to monitor patients for potential disease and therapeutic complications.

The following information is a compilation of commonly, but not all inclusive, used tests in rheumatology practice and a synopsis of their value.

	Complete Blood Count (CBC)
	Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
	Urinalysis
	Liver Function Test (LFTs)
	Creatinine and Electrolytes
	Uric Acid
	Rheumatoid Factor
	Anti-nuclear Antibodies (ANA)
	Specific Nuclear Antibodies (DNA, ENA, ANCA)
	Complement SAs
	HLAB27
	Synovial Fluid Analysis