Private Blood Tests · Autoimmune & Connective Tissue · Sutton Coldfield

Screening for connective tissue disease

An expanded rheumatology workup that adds antinuclear antibody (ANA) screening to the core markers — for multi-system symptoms that may point to lupus or other connective tissue disease, with every result reviewed by a clinician. £218 · clinician-reviewed results · CQC-regulated.

Open 7 days · 8am–8pm · same-week appointments
6markers checked
Promptclinician-reviewed results
7 daysa week, 8am–8pm
£218no referral needed
CQC Regulated
★★★★★ 4.87/5 on Doctify · 700+ verified reviews
Randox accredited laboratory
Same-week appointments
Who it's for

When symptoms span more than your joints

Connective tissue diseases such as lupus can affect joints, skin and multiple organs. This extended panel adds ANA screening and is a sensible step if you recognise any of these — interpreted by a clinician.

Multi-system symptoms

Joint pain with rash, Raynaud's, dry eyes or mouth, or other features across the body.

A positive ANA to interpret

You've had a positive antinuclear antibody result that needs proper interpretation.

Family history of lupus

A family history of SLE or autoimmune connective tissue disease.

Joint pain plus more

Inflammatory joint symptoms alongside other unexplained whole-body features.

Sicca symptoms

Persistent dry eyes and dry mouth that may suggest Sjögren's syndrome.

A fuller workup

You want the core rheumatology markers plus ANA in one blood draw.

£218 · 6 markers · prompt results

No referral needed · open 7 days · free on-site parking

Book my test — £218
What we check

Six markers across joints and connective tissue

This panel includes the core rheumatology markers plus antinuclear and smooth muscle antibodies. Here is what each group can tell you.

Antinuclear antibodies

ANA is the primary screening test for systemic lupus and other connective tissue diseases.

1 marker

Anti-CCP antibodies

Highly specific for rheumatoid arthritis and often positive early in the disease.

1 marker

Rheumatoid factor

An antibody raised in rheumatoid arthritis and some other autoimmune conditions.

1 marker

Smooth muscle antibodies

An additional autoantibody assessed as part of the autoimmune screen.

1 marker

ESR

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate reflects general inflammation and disease activity.

1 marker

Urate

Uric acid (urate) is assessed alongside symptoms when gout is suspected.

1 marker
See all 6 markers in this panel

Connective tissue / autoimmune

Antinuclear AntibodiesSmooth Muscle Antibodies

Inflammatory arthritis

Anti-CCP AntibodiesRheumatoid Factor

Inflammation

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate

Crystal arthropathy

Uric Acid

Extended rheumatology panel measuring anti-CCP antibodies, antinuclear antibodies (ANA), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), rheumatoid factor, smooth muscle antibodies and urate. A positive ANA usually requires further characterisation and specialist review. This is a screening investigation and does not replace a clinical diagnosis — every result is reviewed by a clinician.

How it works

Three simple steps

Book online

Choose a time that suits you in under a minute. No referral needed — pay online or in clinic. Same-week and weekend slots available.

5-minute blood draw

Visit our Sutton Coldfield clinic for a quick, comfortable blood draw with one of our friendly clinical team. Free on-site parking.

Clinician-reviewed results

Your results are shared promptly once ready, reviewed by a clinician who explains what they mean and any sensible next steps.

Check availability & book — £218

Unit 3, The Courtyard, Sutton Coldfield B75 7BU · Open 7 days 8am–8pm

Compare panels

How it compares to our other tests

Not sure which test is right for you? Here's how this test sits alongside our other related panels.

Comparison Table
PanelDepthBest forPrice
Rheumatology Extended6 markersLupus & connective tissue disease£218
Rheumatology4 markersInflammatory arthritis & gout£158
Muscle & RheumatologyExtendedMuscle and joint symptoms£189
Standard ScreenComprehensiveA fuller general health check£192

Browse all blood test panels at The Vesey →

Verified patient reviews

Rated 4.87/5 on Doctify

Real, independently verified feedback from patients of The Vesey Private Hospital.

Read all reviews on Doctify →
Frequently asked questions

Your questions, answered

How is this different from the standard Rheumatology panel?
The extended panel adds antinuclear antibody (ANA) and smooth muscle antibody screening on top of the core markers (anti-CCP, rheumatoid factor, ESR and urate). ANA is the primary screening test for lupus and other connective tissue diseases.
Will a positive ANA confirm lupus?
No. A positive ANA is a screening result that needs interpretation by a clinician and often further antibody testing. Many people with a positive ANA do not have lupus. A clinician reviews every panel and advises on next steps.
How long do results take?
We process your sample promptly and contact you as soon as your clinician-reviewed results are ready — turnaround varies by test. Every result is reviewed by a clinician.
Do I need a GP referral?
No referral is needed. You can book directly online or by calling 0121 387 3727. Same-week appointments are available 7 days a week, 8am to 8pm.
What happens if a result comes back abnormal?
A clinician reviews every panel before it is released. If a marker is outside the normal range we explain what it means and recommend sensible next steps, which may include further antibody testing or rheumatology referral. This test is a screening investigation and is not a substitute for a clinical diagnosis.
Can I claim this on private health insurance?
Self-funded blood tests are usually paid for directly rather than through insurance, as most insurers require a referral first. Call us on 0121 387 3727 and our team will advise.

Understanding your Rheumatology Extended results

Each result in your Rheumatology Extended is reviewed by a clinician before release. Below is a plain-English guide to the key markers included in this panel.

Key Biomarkers

This panel assesses the key markers relevant to rheumatology extended. Each result is reviewed by a clinician who will flag any values outside the expected range for your age and sex.

Reference Ranges

Reference intervals are population-derived and should be interpreted alongside your symptoms and clinical history — a result within range does not always exclude pathology, and a mildly out-of-range result may be clinically insignificant in isolation.

Reference ranges vary between laboratories and are influenced by age, sex, and other individual factors. This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace a clinical consultation. The Vesey reviews every result before it is released to you.

Further information: Lab Tests Online UK (British Society for Clinical Biochemistry) →

Ready when you are

Get clarity on whole-body autoimmune symptoms

A 6-marker extended rheumatology panel with ANA screening and prompt, clinician-reviewed results. The Vesey · Sutton Coldfield · open 7 days 8am–8pm.

Book — £218 WhatsApp us WhatsApp
Free 60-second tool
Not sure where to start?
Take our free Health Quiz and get a personalised recommendation. We'll email you the results so you can refer back to them later.

References & further reading