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