Bones & joints
Tests linked to bone minerals and joint inflammation
Bones & joints
Blood tests can measure minerals such as calcium and phosphate, vitamin D, uric acid (linked to gout) and markers of inflammation. These tests don't diagnose anything on their own, and this isn't a recommendation to take any of them — a doctor decides which are relevant for you.
Vitamin D
A blood test that checks the level of vitamin D in your blood.
CRP (C-Reactive Protein)
A blood test that shows how much inflammation there is in your body.
Calcium
A blood test used to check your general health and to help diagnose or monitor conditions affecting bones, kidneys, the digestive system, the thyroid and the parathyroid glands.
Phosphorus (Phosphate)
A blood test that measures phosphate, a mineral the body uses for bones, teeth, nerves and muscles.
ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate)
A blood test that shows how quickly red blood cells settle at the bottom of a test tube. Faster settling can be a sign of inflammation in the body.
Uric Acid Test
A test that measures uric acid — a waste product the body makes when it breaks down chemicals called purines — in a sample of blood (or urine).
Speak with your doctor
Sudden severe joint pain, swelling, or pain that limits movement should be seen by a doctor.