High Rheumatoid factor

[ploggin]

Recently I had a blood test, it was to be for a test of possible Sjogren's as I had some of the symptoms.  Well it came back as a high Rheumatoid factor but I don't know what it means yet and am being sent to a rheumatologist.  I don't know if it means anything or not at this point.  Anyone else test high for this?

[GravesLady]

Passing on a little incite from what I have read - hope it clarifies the issue for you.

Rheumatoid factor (RF) is an immunoglobulin antibody which can bind to other antibodies that can attach to normal body tissue, resulting in damage. Antibodies are normal proteins found in the blood which function within the immune system.

A high level of rheumatoid factor can be caused by several autoimmune diseases (including rheumatoid arthritis) and some severe infections. Occasionally an elevated level of RF is present in about 1-2% of healthy people.



Although rheumatoid arthritis is the most common reason for a rheumatoid factor (RF) level greater than 23 and a titer greater than 1 to 20, there are other reasons for a positive test. The most common are systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), scleroderma, Sjögren's syndrome, and vasculitis. Less common conditions with high RF values include tuberculosis, mononucleosis, syphilis, leukemia, cirrhosis, chronic active hepatitis, infection of a heart valve (endocarditis), sarcoidosis, and some infections caused by a virus or parasite (such as malaria). Factors that can interfere with your test and the accuracy of the results include: Blood that is very high in fats, which may cause a falsely high rheumatoid factor (RF) result.



Good Luck!

[ploggin]

Mine was 49.  Now its waiting for an appointment with a rheumologist to try and find out why.

[Demiguise]

Very informative post. I learned a couple of things I didn't know about RF & it's results/disorders. Thank you.

[ploggin]

Thanks for the posting.  I would hope the more serious of those had been ruled out by basic blood tests.



I'm wondering why this particular test had not been done, or if it had,if it could have fluctuated over time.  I even had a complete evaluation at the Mayo, and no referall was done for a rheumatologist unfortunately.

[GravesLady]

I would ask your doctor(s) these same question so you won't be left hanging with questions unanswered.



The treatment of Sjogren's syndrome is directed toward the particular areas of the body that are involved and complications, such as infection, rheumatoid, etc. There is no cure for Sjogren's syndrome. So that is why you were porobably directed to a Rheumatoidoligist. Although if you had a complete evaluation by the Mayo and no referall was done for a rheumatologist, I would consider that a good sign (?) Other than basic blood tests, were you tested for antibodies - Sjogren's syndrome produce a countless of extra antibodies against a variety of body tissues (autoantibodies). These can be detected through blood testing and include antinuclear antibodies (ANAs), which are present in nearly all patients. Typical antibodies that are found in most, but not all patients, are SS-A and SS-B antibodies, rheumatoid factor, thyroid antibodies, and others. Low red blood count (anemia ) and abnormal blood testing for inflammation (sedimentation rate) are seen. Common disease that is occasionally associated with Sjogren's syndrome is autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto's thyroiditis), which can lead to abnormal hormone levels detected by thyroid blood tests.  gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), primary biliary cirrhosis - an immune disease of the liver that leads to scarring of the liver tissue. A small percentage of patients with Sjogren's syndrome develop cancer of the lymph glands (lymphoma). This usually develops after many years with the illness.



This is a very complex disease and you might have to have each area of this disease  look at and treated accoringly, if warranted, and check seperately through process of emlimatiom. Maybe you have already (?).



Anyway good Luck and ! Feel better soon!

[jamieandtoni]

I recently went to the dr with c/o fatigue and joint pain. Tested sed rate was high, told to test for arth. panel. Came back with Rh of 375, sed rate 40, c-reactive 38. The 375 scares me because it is so high. (It only scares me in-so-much-as finding a title for what is wrong with me, I figure what ever it is I already have, it is not like I will catch "it" if I know about it - I have "it".) I am awaiting a rheumatology apt. Just wondering if you have heard of such a high number and what you suspect it could mean.  Should I be asking for Ca testing? I am an LPN.

[wlew]

I had blood tests because of FUO lasting almost 3 weeks now. (Actually, it's been mostly 99-100 degrees, which sometimes isn't considered fever, but for me it's elevated, and I feel sick late in the day.).  My sed rate was 62 and is now 85.  I had a rheumatoid factor of 278, which is now 124.  I'm scared.  Rheumatoid arthritis was considered and eliminated at this point because of no clinical symptoms (joint pain, nodules).  A malignant process was considered and eliminated at this point because my white cell count is slightly low and the cells apparently don't show the features of malignancy.  (Not sure what that means, but I hope the doctor does!) The rheumatologist is going with a virus as the cause for now, and said "we can't test for all the possible viruses," so there's no way to confirm it.  It's very frustrating and frightening.  I guess I will be repeating the blood tests every few weeks and hoping this whole thing just goes away....

If anyone has any words of wisdom to share with me, I'd greatly appreciate it.  This seems to be an old thread from last year, so I hope someone out there is still reading it.

wcl

[doctorswife]

My husband's blood test always shows a rheumatoid factor of 2000 and higher.  He has no painful or swollen joints.
He was operated on a benign meningioma in 2007; MRI showed good healing,no problems.He now has developed trouble walking,peculiar gait but still no pain anywhere.What could be the cause of this sky high rheumatoid factor.  Please, give advice on ***@****

[china714]

I have just been checked mine is 441, I have no pain or systems of rheumatoid arthritis, I was diagnosed 7 years and still have a couple bouts a year of pain which comes as fast as it goes, I would suggest no to worry, as If it was soooo bad i wouldnt be a 100% healthy person as my doctor states, why this is? I dont know, but i will continue to try to find out, and most of all some good advice my mama always said 90% of what you think is going to happen, never happens, and shes right, I worried myself 7 years ago, I cant find the site now, but i remember finding a site, where people show no systems of ra, just an occasional bout but always have high rf factors. my doctor also said some people never have syptoms (symptoms) and get any deformaties, they dot know why, but hey lets be grateful! ...i was just diagnosed border line diabetic, borderline high bllod pressure, and had a heart scare, since then I came home from the hospital and changed my diet using the dash diet, I have lost 20 lbs, without exersise, and all my tests are down in normal range, blood pressures, hdl, ect.. ca1 test for diatestes fasting tests, its a mirical what eating right can do, even with a few days out of the month of eating to excess! ...i have never felt better, I had a wake up call, and used it, i am on no meds, originally prescribed heart, blood pressure meds.  I still have a high rf factor but feel great. and had it for 7 years i am fine, and so will you be!

[hevmc66]

I have suffered from repeated chest infections, skin infections and general viruses the last few years. I have tested positive for rheumatoid factor in the past, but as had little else symptoms, was discharged for now from rheumatologists. In October 2008 I became very unwell, my joints were that swollen and full of fluid I put on 2 stone in weight in a week. I also had a widespread rash and tested positive for b19 parvovirus, I had very widespread enlarged lymph nodes and they were to biopsy one but didn't. Since then I have remained unwell still, sore joints especially knees and neck with stiffness in my feet and neck and elbows and cramping in fingers and toes with pins and needles. I have also suffered from overwhlming exhaustion. I have recently discovered a large painless node in my neck. my doctor sent me for blood tests with the worry of lymphoma. I have a raised IgM of 4.17 and positive rheumatoid factor of 79. Am awaiting the doctor again this week should I be referred back to the rheumatologist or a haemotologist or both? My mum suffers from bad gout and my maternal aunt has sjrogens syndrome, please could you advise, thanks