I had a blood test and the doctor said I have a positive Rheumatoid Factor.
They tested me for Rheumatoid arthritis and I haven’t got it. They discharged me
Now I am left wondering why I have a positive Rheumatoid factor or what can cause it
(I know I should ask my doctor) But I am curious to see if anyone here has any idea. I will make an appointment.
Chosen Answer:
There is not a test for rheumatoid arthritis. There are many people out there who have no positive blood tests but still have RA. Which tests did they run? Who discharged you? Do you have any symptoms? Was your rheumatoid factor high positive? How old are you?
If they ran CRP, ESR then these only indicate the inflammation in the blood. My joints have swollen up but my CRP remains normal. I’ve had an elevated ESR before, but not always. There are other tests like anti-CCP, which is like rheumatoid factor, but if it’s positive then it’s positive because you have RA. If it’s negative you could still have RA. Have you had your ANA tested? Ferretin and vitamin D?
You need to find a new doctor. I’d recommend looking for a new one ASAP. If you haven’t seen a rheumatologist, you need to. If it was the rheumatologist who discharged you, you need to find a new one!
Write down all your symptoms and a brief medical history and take it with you to your doctor. Ask for a copy of all your blood tests.
Some times you can have an elevated RF for other reasons, like your age. The older you get the more likely you are to have a false positive. This website has heaps of information on the rheumatoid factor (http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/rheumatoid/tab/test) and other tests for RA (http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/conditions/rheumatoid/)
Good luck.
….
by: ??W.a.b.b.y??
on: 10th July 11
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2 Comments
* Autoimmune thyroiditises (e.g. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis )
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
*
Parasitic infections
*
Leukemia, multiple myeloma, and other cancers
*
Chronic lung disease
*
Chronic liver diseases
*
Nephrotic syndrome
All this said, sometimes there are people, particularly women who have a positive RF, and they are simply monitored by their physicians and never evolve into anything else.
I have a positive RF with no discernible cause. Best wishes.
Reply to this comment
There is not a test for rheumatoid arthritis. There are many people out there who have no positive blood tests but still have RA. Which tests did they run? Who discharged you? Do you have any symptoms? Was your rheumatoid factor high positive? How old are you?
If they ran CRP, ESR then these only indicate the inflammation in the blood. My joints have swollen up but my CRP remains normal. I’ve had an elevated ESR before, but not always. There are other tests like anti-CCP, which is like rheumatoid factor, but if it’s positive then it’s positive because you have RA. If it’s negative you could still have RA. Have you had your ANA tested? Ferretin and vitamin D?
You need to find a new doctor. I’d recommend looking for a new one ASAP. If you haven’t seen a rheumatologist, you need to. If it was the rheumatologist who discharged you, you need to find a new one!
Write down all your symptoms and a brief medical history and take it with you to your doctor. Ask for a copy of all your blood tests.
Some times you can have an elevated RF for other reasons, like your age. The older you get the more likely you are to have a false positive. This website has heaps of information on the rheumatoid factor (http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/rheumatoid/tab/test) and other tests for RA (http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/conditions/rheumatoid/)
Good luck.
….
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