How is rheumatoid factor detected?
During a rheumatoid factor test, a small sample of blood is drawn from a vein in your arm. This typically takes just a few minutes. Your blood sample is sent to a laboratory for testing.
What means the presence of rheumatoid factor RF in the patient’s serum?
Rheumatoid factor (RF) is used in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RF results are positive in approximately 75% of patients with RA, although RF is not etiologically related to RA. High RF titers indicate a poorer prognosis, as patients with higher RF levels tend to have more severe disease.
What is the rheumatoid factor blood test called?
A rheumatoid factor (RF) test measures the amount of rheumatoid factor (RF) in your blood. Rheumatoid factors are proteins produced by the immune system. Normally, the immune system attacks disease-causing substances like viruses and bacteria.
What causes elevated rheumatoid factor?
High values High RF levels may be caused by: Rheumatoid arthritis. Other autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), scleroderma, Sjögren’s syndrome, and vasculitis. Infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis, mononucleosis, syphilis, and malaria.
How does the rheumatoid factor blood test work?
The rheumatoid factor (RF) blood test measures the level of the RF antibody in the blood. There are two ways in which the normal rheumatoid factor range can be presented.
What does it mean to have high rheumatoid factor?
Rheumatoid factor is an immune system protein that attacks healthy body cells. High levels of rheumatoid factor in the blood can indicate an autoimmune condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis. A rheumatoid factor (RF) test is a blood test that can help diagnose rheumatoid arthritis (RA). High RF levels can indicate RA.
Can a positive RF test show rheumatoid arthritis?
It may be the first indication that you might be suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. Sjogren syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis patients usually have positive RF tests. High levels of RF increase the likelihood of presence of RA or Sjogren syndrome. Diagnosis of these disorders can be done by other tests.
Why is there uncertainty on the rheumatoid factor test?
The uncertainty may be because certain people have low levels of rheumatoid factor, which may not ever be enough to trigger a significant autoimmune response.
How does the rheumatoid factor test work?
During a rheumatoid factor test, a small sample of blood is drawn from a vein in your arm. This typically takes just a few minutes. Your blood sample is sent to a laboratory for testing. A positive rheumatoid factor test result indicates that a high level of rheumatoid factor was detected in your blood.
Can a healthy person have a positive rheumatoid factor test?
Some healthy people — particularly older individuals — have positive rheumatoid factor tests, though it’s not clear why. And some people who have rheumatoid arthritis will have low levels of rheumatoid factor in their blood.
What are the lab results for rheumatoid arthritis?
Understanding Rheumatoid Arthritis Lab Tests and Results Adapted from a presentation at the Early RA Support and Education Program at Hospital for Special Surgery Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that primarily affects the joints, but can affect other parts of the body.
The uncertainty may be because certain people have low levels of rheumatoid factor, which may not ever be enough to trigger a significant autoimmune response.