1st order laboratory parameters – obligatory laboratory tests.
- Small blood count
- Inflammatory parameters – CRP (C-reactive protein).
- Tropheryma whippelii PCR* (polymerase chain reaction) from a biopsy (tissue sample), stool, cerebrospinal fluid (nervous fluid); electron microscopy if necessary.
Laboratory parameters 2nd order – depending on the results of the history, physical examination and the obligatory laboratory parameters – for differential diagnostic clarification.
- Rheumatism diagnostics – CRP (C-reactive protein) or ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate); rheumatoid factor (RF), CCP-AK (cyclic citrulline peptide antibodies), ANA (antinuclear antibodies).
- Liver parameters – alanine aminotransferase (ALT, GPT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST, GOT), glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (gamma-GT, GGT), alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin.
- Renal parameters – urea, creatinine, cystatin C or creatinine clearance, if necessary.
* The bacterium Tropheryma whippelii is very difficult to grow (so only DNA detection is safe!).
