A joint, muscle and inflammation check, near Cardiff
Unexplained joint pain, stiffness or muscle weakness deserves more than a hopeful shrug. This panel checks 42 markers across seven areas, including CRP, rheumatoid factor, complement and immunoglobulins, giving your doctor the picture they need to sort a straightforward strain from something autoimmune. Self-refer at our Penarth or Cowbridge clinics near Cardiff.
Forty-two markers, one visit.
What is included for £150
- ✓Blood draw at Penarth or Cowbridge, near Cardiff
- ✓42 markers across seven areas of health
- ✓Muscle and joint markers: creatine kinase, uric acid, rheumatoid factor
- ✓Rheumatology markers: CRP, complement, immunoglobulins A, G, M
- ✓Kidney, liver, bone, iron and nutritional context alongside
- ✓Plain-English report emailed to you, easy to share with a clinician
More than just a muscle enzyme
The muscle markers show if something is being damaged. The rheumatology markers ask why: is inflammation part of it, is the immune system involved, is autoimmunity in the picture? Testing them together lets your doctor tell "you overdid it at the gym" apart from something that needs a proper look, which is a conversation that goes very differently with the numbers in front of you.
Autoimmune context, not just enzymes
CRP, complement and immunoglobulins point to inflammation and immune activity, which is what turns a muscle panel into a genuine rheumatology screen.
Seven angles, one appointment
Kidney and liver function, bone and iron status, and nutrition all sit alongside, so a raised marker is not read out of context.
A doctor to interpret it
Rheumatology markers can be raised for benign reasons too. Book a private GP appointment and one of our doctors will put your results in context.
Worth booking if this sounds like you
Joint and muscle problems are common, but sorting the everyday from the medical often needs a blood test to move things forward.
A hot, swollen or acutely painful joint, especially with fever, can be a septic joint and needs urgent medical attention rather than a routine blood test.
Forty-two markers, seven panels
Everything is taken from one appointment. Tap any panel to see exactly what is included.
Muscle & Joint Health 3
Infection & Inflammation 9
Bone Health 4
Kidney Health 11
Liver Health 7
Iron Status 5
Nutritional Health 3
Your report lists every one of the 42 markers with its reference range, grouped by panel.
Difficult veins? We find them with ultrasound
If you have fragile or hard-to-find veins and have had failed attempts before, our consultant radiologists can take your sample under real-time ultrasound. It is the only such service in South Wales, and patients travel to us from across Wales and the West for it.
Nobody had managed to take my blood in years without several attempts. Here it was done first time with the ultrasound. Such a relief.
Verified Google reviewFrom booking to answers, step by step
Book
Self-refer online or by phone. No GP letter needed. No fasting or special preparation is required for this test.
Your appointment
The draw takes about 15 to 30 minutes. Tell us if you have difficult veins and we will use ultrasound.
Your report
A plain-English report grouping all 42 markers by panel, with reference ranges and anything out of range flagged. Usually within about 72 hours.
Talk it through
Optional: book a private GP appointment to go through your results and plan any next steps.
Muscle and Rheumatology blood test
All inclusive. Forty-two markers across seven areas of health.
- ✓Blood draw at Penarth or Cowbridge
- ✓Muscle, joint, inflammation, immunoglobulin and complement markers
- ✓Plain-English report with reference ranges, emailed to you
- ✓Ultrasound-guided draw available for difficult veins
A £50 booking deposit secures your slot and comes off the total.
Common questions about the muscle and rheumatology test
How much is the Muscle and Rheumatology test?
£150 all inclusive. That covers the appointment, all 42 markers across the seven panels, and a plain-English report emailed to you. A £50 deposit secures your appointment and comes off the total.
What does the test cover?
Seven areas in one appointment: muscle and joint markers, infection and inflammation, bone health, kidney function, liver function, iron status, and a small nutritional panel. That is 42 markers in total. You can see the full list, panel by panel, in the section above.
What makes this different from a basic joint or muscle test?
The infection and inflammation panel is the difference. C-reactive protein, complement C3 and C4, and immunoglobulins A, G and M add the immunology that turns a straightforward enzyme check into a proper rheumatology screen. Combined with muscle markers such as creatine kinase and uric acid, it gives a doctor a much fuller picture of what might be going on.
Can this test diagnose rheumatoid arthritis or lupus?
No. It gives information a specialist can use, and a rheumatoid factor result contributes to the diagnostic picture, but a formal diagnosis needs a doctor to interpret your bloods alongside your symptoms, examination and often further tests such as anti-CCP antibodies or scans. Book a private GP appointment and we can help you plan the next steps.
Do I need to fast before the test?
No. The markers on this panel do not need fasting, so you can eat and drink normally beforehand. Keep taking any regular medication as usual unless your own doctor has said otherwise.
How quickly will I get my results?
Usually within about 72 hours. The immunology markers take a little longer than routine bloods, which is why this panel typically comes back over three working days rather than the next day. Your report groups all 42 markers by panel and flags anything out of range.
What if my rheumatoid factor is positive?
Do not panic. Rheumatoid factor can be raised in rheumatoid arthritis, but it is also found in a proportion of healthy people and in other conditions, so a positive result on its own is not a diagnosis. It is a reason to have your result reviewed properly by a doctor, who can decide what to do next.
Do I need a GP referral?
No. This is a self-refer test. Book online or call 029 2199 9300.
Where is the blood taken?
At our Penarth clinic (13 Washington Buildings, CF64 2AD) or our Cowbridge clinic (10 High Street, CF71 7AG). Both are a short drive from Cardiff with easy parking.
I have difficult veins. Can you still take blood?
Yes. Our consultant radiologists can take the sample under real-time ultrasound, the only such service in South Wales. Mention it when you book so we can allow time.
Want a doctor to make sense of it?
Rheumatology numbers reward interpretation. Book a private GP appointment and one of our doctors will explain what your results mean, plan any onward tests such as anti-CCP antibodies, and refer you to a specialist if that is what is needed.
Book a GP appointmentTwo clinics, close to Cardiff
Penarth Clinic
13 Washington Buildings
Stanwell Road, Penarth
CF64 2AD
Mon to Thu 9:00 to 18:00
Fri 9:00 to 17:00
Sat 9:00 to 15:00
Cowbridge Clinic
Beauty Within
10 High Street, Cowbridge
CF71 7AG
By appointment. Please call for availability.
Get directionsPatients travel to us from Cardiff, Penarth, Cowbridge, Barry, Newport, Bridgend and across the Vale of Glamorgan.
Important: This panel measures the markers listed and does not on its own diagnose rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or other rheumatological conditions, which need a doctor to interpret your results alongside your symptoms, examination and, often, further tests. Rheumatoid factor and other immunology markers can be raised for many reasons, including in healthy people, and a specialist opinion is often needed. We recommend discussing your results with your own GP or booking a private GP appointment with us before acting on any finding. Lab values alone do not constitute medical advice.
Get the full picture before your next appointment.
Self-refer for the Muscle and Rheumatology blood test: 42 markers across seven panels, with the immunology that turns a muscle check into a proper rheumatology screen. £150 all inclusive at Penarth or Cowbridge, near Cardiff.