The term vasculitis implies a problem with the blood vessels where inflammation occurs. There is no single vasculitis test that could be conducted but a variety of tests for vasculitis would be required so as to arrive at a proper diagnosis of this condition. The condition itself is of various types and can also be classified as chronic or simply short term. This however is a serious condition as vasculitis could affect the body irreparably and can even be fatal.
A doctor could advise blood tests for vasculitis or could have a diagnosis made after other tests such as a vasculitis urine test. As part of the vasculitis diagnosis, one would also have to mention symptoms of the same to the doctor and submit to a physical examination. Your doctor may feel the need for these depending upon your particular vasculitis symptoms as the condition may differ amongst different patients. General symptoms such as muscle pain and fever could be common while specific ones would depend on the type of vasculitis problem existing. There are different tests required not just to further understand the condition of vasculitis but also to check its impact on the body. For instance, the existence of vasculitis would necessitate careful monitoring of one's blood pressure as well as a need for other tests such as an EKG. One also has to bear in mind that vasculitis could cause several complications and the specific organs targeted would also determine the type of specialist that you may require.
Procedural preparations would depend upon the tests that needs to be conducted and your doctor would be able to advise specific preparatory steps if necessary. There could be a number of tests involved in better understanding vasculitis and it is best that you clear all your doubts with the doctor before you prepare for any of the tests.
As mentioned earlier test for vasculitis could be of several types and the procedure would be contingent upon the type of tests conducted. While vasculitis blood test is one possibility, you could have imaging tests such as CTs and x-rays or urine tests. There are other ways in which the diagnosis for the problem of vasculitis may be made such as biopsy of the blood vessel that have been affected. Complete blood cell count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate are just two of the blood tests for vasculitis. An angiogram could also be advised and this particular form of medical test would involve the insertion of a catheter.