Rheumatoid factor (RF) is a blood test that measures the amount of the RF
Blood 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...
Read moreRheumatoid factors are antibodies that attach to other antibodies. This may be associated with inflammation. It is a test used to help in... Read more »
My last blog discussed the Rheumatoid Factor, its significance, and perhaps its insignificance. The bottom line, however, is that... Read more »
Although I’ve had RA for most of my 31 years, until I read the Australian study this week, I never knew that people with RA have a higher... Read more »
Not too long ago, I wrote about the utility of the Rheumatoid Factor (RF) and the anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibody in... Read more »
In Rheumatoid Arthritis and Sjögren’s Syndrome, we discussed how patients living with RA have an increased risk of developing secondary... Read more »
Q: How do most patients get referred to a rheumatologist in the first place?Kremer: Usually, it’s the pain that’s perceived to be arthritis pain.... Read more »
Source: ADAM Encyclopedia
Normal ValuesResults 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) usually... Read more »
Source: ADAM Encyclopedia
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... Read more »
Swedish researchers say a blood test could predict rheumatoid arthritis (RA) long before the person notices any symptoms of the condition. The... Read more »
Source: ADAM Encyclopedia
ReferencesGoodyear CS, Tighe H, McInnes IB. Rheumatoid factors and other autoantibodies in rheumatoid arthritis. In: Firestein GS, Budd RC, Harris... Read more »