Rheumatoid factor test (RF): goal, results, levels

The rheumatoid factor test (RF) detects a rheumatoid factor, a variety of antibodies (protein that combat harmful substances) within the blood. RF antibodies sometimes attack healthy cells and tissues, which ends up in autoimmune states.

Rheumatoid aspects are widely used to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis, but they may also detect other conditions, resembling Sjögren’s syndrome, lupus, hepatitis C, tuberculosis, and even some cancers.

Healthcare providers may recommend a RF test if you may have symptoms resembling joint pain, joint swelling, fatigue, low fever and unexplained weight reduction.

The rheumatoid factor test can detect the presence of a rheumatoid factor, antibodies which will incorrectly attack healthy cells and tissues. The body can produce RF consequently of an abnormal immune response. Having RF within the blood doesn’t all the time indicate an autoimmune disease, but its presence is a possible sign.

The RF test most frequently helps to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Ra symptoms often start on one or each side of the joints of the wrist, hands or feet. The healthcare provider may suggest a RF test if you may have universal RA symptoms, including:

• Tenderness and swelling within the joint
• Pond pain
• Stiffness
• Tiredness
• Low fever
• Weight loss

Healthcare providers may recommend the RF test with a view to diagnose other autoimmune states and infections related to a high level of rheumatoid factor. These conditions include:

• Sjögren team
• Young idiopathic arthritis (jia)
• System judge erythematically (SLE)
• Tuberculosis
• Hepatitis 100

A blood test may also help detect some forms of cancer, including leukemia and lung cancer.

You don’t need any special preparation for the rheumatoid factor test. However, contact your doctor to see if you may have other tests that require post before the meeting. You must also ask when you can still take medications or supplements before the test.

The RF test often takes place in a diagnostic laboratory or supplier’s office. Wear comfortable, loose clothes that allow quick access to your arm when it’s time to take blood. You may consider bringing a member of the family or friend on the day of the test or blood tests cause anxiety.

If you may have insurance, discuss with your insurer to envision if they may cover the test costs or whether you’ll have to pay out of your pocket.

The rheumatoid factor test consists in drawing a small blood sample of a vein within the shoulder. The supplier performing a blood draw often uses the veins on the inside the elbow, although it could possibly use one to the back of the hand. This process often takes lower than five minutes.

During the test

During the test you’ll sit in a chair, a Phlebotomist (Professional trained to take blood) uses a needle to take blood from the vein within the shoulder. Here’s what the supplier will do in the course of the blood draw:

1. Clean the world of ​​the antiseptic
2. Place a versatile band on the upper shoulder to exert pressure on this area
3. Put the needle within the vein and collect blood in a decent vial or tube attached to the needle
4. Remove the needle and armband from the shoulder
5. Place a cotton pad or bandage on the needle page

You can feel slightly sting when the needle enters and comes out, but these symptoms quickly disappear.

After testie

You can go home almost immediately after the test and resume each day activities. If you are feeling weak and dizziness after blood tests, it’s best to ask someone to go home. Your healthcare supplier may ask you to not lift any heavy facilities for twenty-four hours after the test, because it could possibly burden the needle.

Blood tests are frequently quite protected. You may feel slight pain or bruise within the needle, but these symptoms quickly disappear.

There could also be rare complications, including bleeding, infection at a needle or nerve damage. It is significant to contact a health care provider if these complications appear.

The results of the rheumatoid factor test are frequently available inside a couple of hours to a couple of days from the test. Some laboratories have a web based portal where you possibly can check the outcomes. You can have to go to your doctor to debate the outcomes and determine when you need further tests.

Interpretation of your results

The results of the rheumatoid factor will likely be listed in international units for a milliliter or as a reputation. The name is a measurement of the substance concentration in the answer and is displayed as an ratio.

The normal range of rheumatoid factor within the blood is normally below 15 international units for a milliliter or a title of 1 to 80. A traditional range may change barely depending on different laboratories.

A better range than normal indicates a positive result, while the lower range than normal suggests a negative result.

Positive result

A positive result implies that you may have a better level of rheumatoid factor within the blood than the traditional level. It is usually a sign of rheumatoid arthritis, other autoimmune diseases or infection underlying.

Your healthcare supplier may recommend additional tests to substantiate, which causes a positive RF test. These include:

• C-reactive protein test
• Erythrocyte Stimulation speed test (ESR)
• Citrulated anti -cyclical peptide (anti-ccp) Anti-tone test
• Anti -vitrical antibody test (Ana)

Negative result

A negative result implies that you may have a small or no rheumatoid factor within the blood. However, it doesn’t exclude the presence of rheumatoid arthritis or other conditions. In some cases, people from RA shouldn’t have a high level of rheumatoid factor within the blood.

If you may have low blood levels in your blood, but you continue to have joint pain or other symptoms, discuss with your doctor about additional tests.

The rheumatoid factor test measures the levels of RF antibodies within the blood. It can assist diagnose conditions resembling rheumatoid arthritis and Sjögren syndrome.

The healthcare provider can order a RF blood test if you may have symptoms resembling joint swelling, joint pain and fatigue.

High RF levels may indicate that you may have a condition that requires further diagnostic tests.