One of the hallmarks of RA is that symptoms develop slowly over weeks or months. Early symptoms usually include fatigue and stiffness upon waking in the morning, especially in the small joints of the hands and feet. If you suspect you may have RA, see a doctor right away to be tested. Studies show that the earlier you start treatment for RA, the better your outcome will be.

When you visit the doctor, he or she will likely ask about your history of symptoms and about your family history of RA and other autoimmune diseases such as lupus and multiple sclerosis. The doctor will also do a physical examination of your joints. He or she may also recommend additional laboratory tests to determine if you have RA.

Blood tests for RA include the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) which tends to be elevated in people with RA due to the presence of inflammatory processes in the blood. Another blood test looks for the presence of auto-antibodies called rheumatoid factor and the citrulline antibody which are found in most people with RA. Rheumatoid factor is found in about 80% of adults with RA and citrulline antibody in 90-95% of cases. However, these antibodies also may be present in people with other autoimmune diseases such as lupus.  

Another test involves using a needle to take a small sample of the fluid from inside one of your joints which is then tested to rule out other possible causes of joint problems. You may also be asked to have X-rays taken of your joints to examine the damage present and to track the progress of the disease over time.