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Rheumatoid factor (RF) is a blood test that measures the amount of the RF antibodyin the blood.
How the test is performedBlood is drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.
Next, the health care provider gently inserts a needle into the vein. The blood collects into an airtight vial or tube attached to the needle. The elastic band is removed from your arm.
Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.
In infants or young children, a sharp tool called a lancet may be used to puncture the skin and make it bleed. The blood collects into a small glass tube called a pipette, or onto a slide or test strip. A bandage may be placed over the area if there is any bleeding.
How to prepare for the testNo special preparation is usually necessary.
How the test will feelWhen the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.
Why the test is performedThis test is most often used to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis or Sjogren syndrome. About 80% of patients with rheumatoid Arthritis, and almost all patients with Sjogren syndrome have positive RF tests.
It may also be used to rule out or diagnose other inflammation-related conditions.
Normal ValuesResults are usually reported in one of two ways:
- Less than 40-60 u/mL
- Less than 1:80 (1 to 80) titer
A low number (normal result) usually means you do not have rheumatoid arthritis or Sjogren syndrome. However, some people who do have these conditions still have a "normal" or low rheumatoid factor (RF).
Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
What abnormal results meanHigh levels of rheumatoid factor, especially in people who have symptoms, can help diagnose rheumatoid arthritis or Sjogren syndrome. The higher the level reported, the more likely one of these conditions is present.
People with these autoimmune diseases may also have higher levels of rheumatoid factor:
- Scleroderma
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Adult Still's disease
- Dermatomyositis
- Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
- Sarcoidosis
Many other medical problems and infections may cause higher-than-normal levels of RF. However, RF is not used to diagnose these problems:
- AIDS, hepatitis, influenza, infectious mononucleosis, and other viral infections
- Endocarditis, tuberculosis, and other bacterial infections
- Parasite infections
- Leukemia, multiple myeloma, and other cancers
- Chronic lung disease
- Chronic liver diseases
- Nephrotic syndrome
Sometimes, people who are healthy and have no other medical problem will have a higher-than-normal RF level.
What the risks areVeins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.
Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:
- Excessive bleeding
- Fainting or feeling light-headed
- Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
- Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
The RF test can be positive in some healthy people.
ReferencesGoodyear CS, Tighe H, McInnes IB. Rheumatoid factors and other autoantibodies in rheumatoid arthritis. In: Firestein GS, Budd RC, Harris Jr. ED, McInnes IB, Ruddy S, eds. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: W.B. Saunders Company;2008:chap 51.
What else can I help you with?
What is a negative rheumatoid factor?
rheumatoid factor is a particular type of antibody that is found in about 80% of people have Rheumatoid arthritis as well as with other inflammatory illnesses. A negative RF simply means there is no RF in the blood.
Can you have rheumatoid arthritis with a factor 7.7?
Yes You can have Rheumatoid arthritis with no RF at all. In that case it is referred to as seronegative RA,
What CPt code is used for rheumatoid factor?
CPT Code(s):86200 CCP IgG; 86431 Rheumatoid Factor; if reflexed, add 83516 x2 RF IgG/IgA and 86431 RF IgM
If your Rheumatoid factor is lower than the previous blood test what does this mean?
This is not known as the cause of it is unknown as well as the relationship between RF and the activity of the disease.
Is a Rheumatoid Factor of 14 high enough to indicate RA?
It is possible to have RA without any Rheumatoid factor. This is known as seronegative RA. However if you are suspected of having RA then any RF (rheumatoid factor) helps complete the diagnosis towards the possibility of RA.
Can you have rheumatoid arthritis with a rheumatoid factor 6.9?
Yes you can have RA with an Rf of 20. When a doctor sees the symptoms of RA they automatically check for RF because it is a good indicator that that is the problem when taking the symptoms into account , However you don't need any RF at all to be suffering from RA. When this happens it is described as "seronegative rheumatoid arthritis".An RF of more than 23 units and a titer over than 1:80 can indicate rheumatoid arthritis but may also occur in other conditions.A negative test result for rheumatoid factor does notnecesarily exclude the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.
What is seronegative rheumatoid arthritis?
My guess is that you read the term for seronagative Rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a immune disorder that usually exhibits itself in several joints of the body at the same time, (often the same joints on opposite sides of the body). When it is suspected that Rheumatoid arthritis is the culprit one of the blood tests that is done is one for Rheumatoid factor (RF) most of the people that have RA also have a high RF, However in about 20% of cases there is no RF and this is Known as seronegative Rheumatoid arthritis.
What do you mean by Rheumatoid arthritis factor?
Rheumatoid factor (RF or RhF) is an antibody that attacs an organism's own tissue. omos often found in About 80% of people with rheumatoid arthritis have detectable rheumatoid factor. Those who do not are said to be "seronegative".Rheumatoid factor can also be a (antibody that precipitates on cooling of a blood sample); it can be either type 2 (monoclonal IgM to polyclonal IgG) or 3 (polyclonal IgM to polyclonal IgG)
Can you have a positive rheumatoid arthritis test and not be symptomatic?
Yes There is no specific test that will indicate that you have Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). When there is a suspicion that you may suffer from this disease one of the tests done is a test for Rheumatoid factor(RF). About 90% of people that have RA also have an elevated RF. However having a positive or elevated RF does not necessarily mean you are at present suffering from RA.
Is rheumatoid arthritis factor will affects marriage life?
People that have rheumatoid arthritis often also have a high RF However not always. There are also many people with a high rheumatoid factor that never develop rheumatoid arthritis, so unless the person is showing the symptoms of RA it should have no effect.
What is an Rf factor and how is it calculated?
The Rf value is the "ratio to the front." Hence the R and the f. It is defined as the ration of the distance traveled by a spot (measured from the center) to the distance traveled by the solvent.
What is a normal rheumatoid factor?
Results are usually reported in one of two ways:Less than 40-60 u/mLLess than 1:80 (1 to 80) titerA low number (normal result) generally means you do not have rheumatoid arthritis or Sjogren syndrome. However, these conditions still can still occur in some people who have have a "normal" or low rheumatoid factor (RF).Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories.Rheumatoid factor (RF) blood tests measures the amount of the RF antibody in the blood.The results of the rheumatoid factor (RF) test may be reported in titers or units:A titer is a measure of how much the blood sample can be diluted before RF can no longer be detected. A titer of 1 to 20 (1:20) means that RF can be detected when 1 part of the blood sample is diluted by up to 20 parts of a salt solution (saline). A larger second number means there is more RF in the blood. Therefore, a titer of 1 to 80 shows more RF in the blood than a titer of 1 to 20.Nephelometry units indicate how much light is blocked by the blood sample in the tube. A high level of RF causes the sample to be cloudy, so less light passes through the tube than when the RF level is low. So an RF level of 100 units is higher than one of 40 units.NormalNormal values vary from lab to lab. Results are usually available in a day or two.Rheumatoid factor (RF) Titers1:20 to 1:80 Units14 units/mL to 60 units/mLPatients should check with their heath profesional to see what the normal range is for the lab that tested your blood.Rheumatoid factor is an immunoglobulin (antibody) which is able to bind to other antibodies. Rheumatoid factor is usually not found in the general population. it is only found in about 1-2% of healthy people. Rheumatoid factor increases with age and about 20% of people over 65 years old have an elevated rheumatoid factor.A blood test is done to detect the presence of rheumatoid factor. This is normally ordered to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid factor is present in 80% of adults who have rheumatoid arthritis The incidence of rheumatoid factor increases with duration time: at 3 months the incidence is 33%, at one year it is 75%. Up to 20% of rheumatoid arthritis sufferers remain negative for rheumatoid factor (also known as "seronegative rheumatoid arthritis") throughout their disease.Results are usually reported in one of two ways:Normal values are LESS than 60 U/ml.A low number (normal result) usually means you do not have rheumatoid arthritis or Sjogren syndrome. However, some people who do have these conditions still have a "normal" or low rheumatoid factor (RF).
