Patient & family guide · Updated September 30, 2026
“I feel better—why do I still need tests?” It is a reasonable question. Symptoms, inflammation and treatment side effects are related, but they are not the same thing. Follow-up helps the care team see more than one part of the picture.
What blood and urine tests can tell us
CRP and ESR are blood tests that can reflect inflammation. They are not specific to an autoinflammatory diagnosis: infection and other conditions can also affect them. Serum amyloid A (SAA) is another marker used in some conditions. Trends and clinical context matter more than interpreting an isolated number on your own.
Depending on the diagnosis and treatment, monitoring may also include blood counts, liver or kidney tests and urine testing. Not everyone needs the same tests or schedule.
Between episodes
For some autoinflammatory conditions, inflammation can continue even when a person feels well. Follow-up is therefore not limited to counting fevers. Ask whether tests during an episode and when well would answer different questions in your case.
In FMF, prevention of complications is part of the treatment goal. Read the FMF guide. Conditions such as CAPS may also need organ-specific checks; see the CAPS guide.
Make a shared plan
- Which tests or examinations do I need, and what are they checking?
- When should they be done?
- Who will review the results and contact me?
- What side effects should I report?
- What is the plan for an infection or a missed treatment?
Bring symptom notes, medicine changes and questions to follow-up. Do not adjust treatment based only on a laboratory flag or an online threshold.
Sources and further reading
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Educational information, not a diagnosis or an individual treatment plan. Discuss symptoms and treatment decisions with your own care team. About this website.