Question 1

What is Ankylosing Spondylitis?

Accepted Answer

Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory arthritis that primarily affects the spine and sacroiliac joints, causing pain and stiffness that can lead to spinal fusion. It is caused by an autoimmune response strongly associated with the HLA-B27 genetic marker, which triggers inflammation in the joints and connective tissues. The HLA-B27 Antigen test is the most important test for diagnosis because it identifies the genetic marker present in approximately 90% of people with ankylosing spondylitis.

Question 2

What causes ankylosing spondylitis?

Accepted Answer

Ankylosing spondylitis is caused by an autoimmune response where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the joints and ligaments of the spine and pelvis. The condition is strongly associated with the HLA-B27 genetic marker, which is found in about 90% of people with ankylosing spondylitis. While having this genetic marker significantly increases your risk, not everyone with HLA-B27 develops the condition, and other genetic and environmental factors also play a role in triggering the disease.

Question 3

What is the best test for ankylosing spondylitis?

Accepted Answer

The HLA-B27 Antigen test is the most important blood test for ankylosing spondylitis because it detects the genetic marker present in approximately 90% of people with this condition. This test helps assess your genetic predisposition and supports clinical diagnosis when you have symptoms like chronic back pain and stiffness. For a more comprehensive genetic assessment, the HLA-A, B, C, DRB1 and DQ High Resolution test provides detailed information about multiple genetic markers associated with increased risk. Additionally, the Interleukin 17 Serum test can measure inflammatory activity and help monitor disease progression in people already diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis.

Question 4

When should I get tested for ankylosing spondylitis?

Accepted Answer

You should get tested if you experience chronic lower back pain and stiffness that lasts more than three months, especially if it improves with exercise but not with rest. Testing is particularly important if your symptoms started before age 40, you wake up with back stiffness in the morning that lasts at least 30 minutes, or you have a family history of ankylosing spondylitis or related conditions. You should also consider testing if you have pain in your hips, buttocks, or heels, or if you notice reduced flexibility in your spine that affects your daily activities.

Question 5

What are the symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis?

Accepted Answer

Ankylosing spondylitis typically causes chronic pain and stiffness in the lower back, hips, and buttocks that develops gradually over weeks or months. The pain and stiffness are usually worse in the morning or after periods of inactivity and improve with movement and exercise. Other symptoms include fatigue, reduced flexibility in the spine, stooped posture, pain in the neck or chest, inflammation in the eyes causing redness and pain, and occasionally pain in the shoulders, knees, or ankles. As the condition progresses, the vertebrae may fuse together, leading to a rigid spine and reduced range of motion.

Question 6

Who is at risk for ankylosing spondylitis?

Accepted Answer

People who carry the HLA-B27 genetic marker have a significantly higher risk of developing ankylosing spondylitis, though most people with this marker never develop the condition. Men are about three times more likely to develop ankylosing spondylitis than women, and symptoms typically begin in late adolescence or early adulthood, usually before age 40. Having a family history of ankylosing spondylitis or related conditions like psoriatic arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease also increases your risk. Additionally, people of certain ethnic backgrounds, particularly those of European descent, are more commonly affected.

Question 7

What happens if ankylosing spondylitis is left untreated?

Accepted Answer

Untreated ankylosing spondylitis can lead to progressive spinal fusion where the vertebrae grow together, creating a rigid spine that severely limits mobility and causes a stooped-forward posture. This fusion can affect your ability to breathe deeply if it involves the chest, and it significantly impacts your quality of life by restricting daily activities. Chronic inflammation can also damage other parts of your body, including causing uveitis that may lead to vision problems, increasing your risk of osteoporosis and spinal fractures, and rarely affecting the heart valves or aorta. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to slow disease progression and prevent these serious complications.

Question 8

Can ankylosing spondylitis be diagnosed with a blood test?

Accepted Answer

Blood tests alone cannot definitively diagnose ankylosing spondylitis, but they provide crucial supporting evidence when combined with your symptoms, physical examination, and imaging studies like X-rays or MRI. The HLA-B27 Antigen test is particularly valuable because it identifies a genetic marker found in about 90% of people with the condition, though a positive result does not guarantee you have or will develop ankylosing spondylitis. Inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate may also be elevated, indicating active inflammation. Your doctor uses these blood test results along with clinical findings to make an accurate diagnosis.

Question 9

How is ankylosing spondylitis treated?

Accepted Answer

Ankylosing spondylitis is treated with a combination of medications, physical therapy, and lifestyle modifications to manage pain, reduce inflammation, and maintain mobility. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen or naproxen are typically the first-line treatment for pain and stiffness, while biologic medications such as TNF inhibitors or IL-17 inhibitors are used for more severe cases or when NSAIDs are not effective. Regular physical therapy and daily stretching exercises are essential to maintain flexibility and posture, and low-impact activities like swimming help keep your spine mobile. In rare cases where severe joint damage occurs, surgical interventions like joint replacement may be considered.

Question 10

How can I prevent ankylosing spondylitis?

Accepted Answer

You cannot prevent ankylosing spondylitis because it is primarily caused by genetic factors, particularly the presence of the HLA-B27 marker, which you inherit from your parents. However, if you have a family history or carry the HLA-B27 marker, you can potentially reduce symptom severity by maintaining good posture, staying physically active with regular exercise, and avoiding smoking, which can worsen symptoms and disease progression. Early detection through genetic testing allows for prompt treatment if symptoms develop, which can slow disease progression and prevent complications. While you cannot change your genetic risk, these lifestyle measures help protect your spine health.

Question 11

What can I do at home for ankylosing spondylitis?

Accepted Answer

At home, you can manage ankylosing spondylitis symptoms by performing daily stretching and strengthening exercises that focus on maintaining spinal flexibility and good posture. Apply heat therapy with warm showers or heating pads to relieve morning stiffness, and use ice packs to reduce inflammation after physical activity. Practice deep breathing exercises to maintain chest expansion and lung capacity, and sleep on a firm mattress with a thin pillow or no pillow to support proper spinal alignment. Maintain a healthy weight to reduce stress on your joints, quit smoking if you smoke, and engage in low-impact activities like swimming, walking, or yoga to keep your spine mobile while managing pain.

Question 12

How’s this work?

Accepted Answer

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.Long story short:
            
                In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want.
                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.
                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.
                If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want.
                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.
                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.
                You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy!
                If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

Question 13

How do I know which test to get?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 14

When will my lab results be available?

Accepted Answer

Most test results will be available within 1–3 business days. Once they're ready, we'll send an email and text message to let you know.
            After your blood draw, just hang tight and don't worry – we'll keep you updated and in the loop!
            If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you.

Question 15

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?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 16

Do you accept health insurance?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 17

Can I cancel my order?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 18

How can I find a lab location near me?

Accepted Answer

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.

Ankylosing Spondylitis Blood Test

What is Ankylosing Spondylitis?

What causes ankylosing spondylitis?

What is the best test for ankylosing spondylitis?

When should I get tested for ankylosing spondylitis?

References

Here’s why 1,000,000+ customers chose us for affordable hassle-free private blood testing.

Us vs. Them

1,000,000+ blood tests later, here's what our customers say

Ask Me Anything