Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Factor
The Rheumatoid Arthritis Factor (RA Factor) Test measures the rheumatoid factor antibody in the blood
– typically not present in a normal individual’s blood. If present, this can indicate and diagnose
rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases.
In fact, a positive RA factor is also present in patients with other conditions including other connective tissue diseases, infectious diseases like hepatitis, parasites, liver disease and more.
Why Do I Need It?:
If your joints hurt from walking up stairs, opening up jars or other routine activity, you may want to take the RA Factor Test. Rheumatoid arthritis often causes problems in several joints at the same time – affecting your smaller joints like wrists and ankles first. As the disease progresses, your shoulders, elbows, knees, hips, jaw and neck can also become involved. Basically, your whole body hurts and it’s not fun.
Get screened early because rheumatoid arthritis can be curbed by medicine and other doctor‐instructed treatment.
Normal Range:
Titers | 1:20 – 1:40 or less |
Units | Less than 43 |
High Results Indicate: High levels can indicate rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, vasculitis, an infectious disease, endocarditis or liver disease.
Low Results Indicate: Low levels are ideal and are usually not monitored.