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Arthritis (Expert Forum)

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rheumatoid factor

Answered by

Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine

Kevin Pho, MD Boston - MA

This forum is for questions and support regarding arthritis issues such as: Arthritis, Autoimmune Disease, Bursitis, Fibromyalgia, Gout, Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, Myositis, Neuralgia, Osteoarthritis, Polymyalgia Rheumatica, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Sciatica, Tendinitis, Vasculitis.

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MedHelp Member's Question

rheumatoid factor

by hetty, Dec 28, 2003 12:00AM

Tags: rheumatoid, factor, Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Rheumatoid factor, pain

I recently tested positive for the rheumatoid factor. It was "68." Just how elevated is that? How suggestive of rheumatoid arthritis is it? (I have stiffness and some pain, mainly in the morning, but no joint swelling.)

Doctor's Answer

by Kevin Pho, MD

, Jan 03, 2004 12:00AM

Hello - thanks for your patience.

The normal range for rheumatoid factor is less than 20 (this is dependent on the laboratory).  The following disorders are associated with an elevated rheumatoid factor:

Rheumatoid arthritis � 26 to 90 percent

Sj�gren's syndrome � 75 to 95 percent

Mixed connective tissue disease � 50 to 60 percent

Mixed cryoglobulinemia (types II and III) � 40 to 100 percent

Systemic lupus erythematosus � 15 to 35 percent

Polymyositis/dermatomyositis � five to 10 percent

This test is not traditionally used for screening purposes as it has a low yield in healthy populations.  With this elevated level, further testing is necessary to confirm a diagnosis.  An elevated rheumatoid factor by itself is not enough for a diagnosis.

As you can see from the numbers above, studies have shown a wide range for rheumatoid factor predicting rheumatoid arthritis (26 to 90 percent).

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Thanks,

Kevin, M.D.

Member Comments (8)

by kevinmd, Dec 28, 2003 12:00AM

I'll be away until January 4th - I will answer your question when I return.

Happy holidays,

Kevin, M.D.

by sunnygal, Dec 29, 2003 12:00AM

To: hetty

Hi! Last spring my rheumatoid factor was 30, and it was read as high. I also have a painless hard nodule on my left elbow. My knees are my main problem. I often have pain, stiffness and difficulty walking. I am seeing a rheumatologist on February 5. I also do NOT have any joint swelling. How old are you? I am 27, and have been to 3 neuros and have ruled out any neuro related diseases (because of fatigue and weakness).

by dodil, Jan 15, 2004 12:00AM

Hi,

I have just got my RF test done and it shows that the Rheum Factor is 20. How severe is that? Have been diagonised with rheumatoid athritis before.

Thanks

by geminisgirl4, Jan 16, 2004 12:00AM

To: MD

My husband was dianosed with RA (by blood work) about 3 years ago. He went to a doctor Wednesday night and that doctor believes he does NOT have RA. First of all, my husband hurts in EVERY joint of his body. There is no family history of RA. Also, the doctor noticed that my husband has clubbing of his fingers and also his toes, which could have something to do with either lung disease or some form of cancer. Is there any possibility that this could be something other than RA?

by Rayford, Jan 28, 2004 12:00AM

I've had those pain/stiffness symptoms just in the mornings on and off. Seems to vary with weather and then just goes away. I assumed it was the results of some virus giving me grief but what worked very well for me was to submerge the stiff joints in hot water for one or two minutes and gradually loosen them by flexing the joints.

Stiff hands were the most common and I would fill a sink with water hot as I could stand it and make fist and open slowly about ten times and pain and stiffness would be gone for the day.

Heat is in my opinion not usually good for the body except in rare instances like this. I always try cold first on problems such as this and see if I can get any result from cold but with the stifness in my hands and shoulders etc. this worked for me maybe it will for you if you try it.

If you try it and the stiffness does not clear up right away like in 2 or 3 mins max it is probably safe to assume you are not suffering from the same thing I had.

I am -not- a doctor.

by cuteus, Feb 14, 2004 12:00AM

To: hetty

I too tested high for rheum factor for many years, some pain and stiffness , no swelling, no "classical symptoms" of RA. LAst year a rheumatologist tested me for hcv, and voila', it was positive. Many positive hcv sufferers have high factor and RA symptoms.

Just something to follow up.

GL

by dylanfly, Aug 03, 2007 11:11PM

To: MD

i was diagnosed with RA 2 years ago with a rheum factor of 600, is that even possible? it seems way higher than everyone. but i saw the blood work myself and for sure it was 600, my doctor was like " yeah no doubt you have ra". me and my husband are also trying to have another child, what options do we have medicine wise?? or maybe even herbal remedies.??

by sheshenewton, Aug 10, 2007 12:18PM

My rheumatoid factor was just 23 two months ago...and now this week I was tested and it jumped to 109. My dr. referred me to a rheumatologist...but really, other than rheumatoid arthritis, what else could this likely be?

by tiny725, Aug 04, 2008 10:45AM

A related discussion, Rheumatoid factor was started.

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