Rheumatoid Arthritis (Ra) Factor is a test that diagnoses rheumatoid arthritis symptoms such as joint pain, swelling, or stiff joints; your doctor may order a rheumatoid factor blood test to help identify it.
This is a simple blood test that detects rheumatoid factor, an antibody that, if present in the blood, helps to determine whether you have rheumatoid arthritis. When your body identifies hazardous compounds, it generates antibodies.
The test also assists your doctor in differentiating rheumatoid arthritis from other kinds of arthritis and other diseases. Rheumatoid factor levels can be elevated in persons with severe rheumatoid arthritis.
Even if the test results suggest that you have a high amount of it, your doctor will do another testing before making a final diagnosis. They will also conduct more lab tests such as X-rays, an MRI, an ultrasound, or other scans.
Other names: RF Blood Test
What is the use of this test?
An RF test is frequently used to aid in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune illnesses. RF testing may also be used to determine the severity of rheumatoid arthritis and if it is likely to harm organs. An RF test cannot be used to identify any health issues.
Who Should Get This Test Done?
If rheumatoid arthritis symptoms exist, one may require an RF test. Symptoms usually start in the wrists, hands, and feet. They often affect the same joints on both sides of the body and appear and go.
Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms may include:
- Joint discomfort
- Joint tenderness, edema, and warmth
- Joint stiffness lasting more than 30 minutes
- Fatigue
- Fevers occur occasionally.
- Appetite loss
- Outside-of-joint issues such as dry mouth or eyes, stiff lumps beneath the skin, or anemia.
You may also require an RF test if you are being tested for another ailment that might result in high levels of rheumatoid factor, such as:
Other autoimmune diseases include:
- The Sjogren's syndrome
- Lupus
- Scleroderma
- Children and teenagers with juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Chronic infections, such as:
- The Hepatitis C virus (liver)
- Tuberculosis (primarily affects the lungs)
- Endocarditis (heart)
- Certain cancers
- Leukaemia
What happens during an RF test?
A needle will be used by a healthcare expert to draw blood from a vein in the arm. Following the insertion of the needle, a small quantity of blood will be collected in a test tube or vial. You may feel a slight sting when the needle goes in or out. This normally takes five minutes.
There are at-home testing kits available for rheumatoid factors. The test kit includes everything, you need to take a blood sample by pricking your finger. You'll send your sample to a lab for analysis. If you perform a home test, make sure to communicate the results with your doctor.
How to prepare for the test?
You don't have to prepare for anything extra before an RF test.
Is there any risk in the test?
No, there is no risk associated with the test. A blood test might cause you to experience some discomfort or bruising where the needle was inserted, but most symptoms will go away soon.
Understanding the results
An RF test cannot identify any problems on its own. Your physician will consider the findings of various tests, as well as your symptoms and medical history, to determine a diagnosis.
A negative (normal) result:
It indicates that your blood contains little or no rheumatoid factor. However, this does not rule out rheumatoid arthritis or other health issues. Many rheumatoid arthritis patients have little or no rheumatoid factor. If you have rheumatoid arthritis symptoms but your RF test results are normal, your clinician may conduct further tests to make a diagnosis.
A positive (abnormal) result:
It indicates that you have a greater amount of rheumatoid factor in your blood. This may not necessarily imply that rheumatoid factors are to blame for your symptoms. However, the higher your RF test findings, the more probable you have a disease associated with rheumatoid factors. More tests may be performed by your physician to determine whether you have:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Another autoimmune conditione
- A persistent infection
- Certain types of cancer
Important information about RF testing?
An RF test is not utilized to detect osteoarthritis. Despite the fact that both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis affect the joints, they are completely distinct illnesses. Osteoarthritis is not an autoimmune disease, and it is not caused by rheumatoid factors.
