Rheumatoid Factor

[Nomoney2018]

Hi. Am waiting on rheumatology appointment. Dr has referred me as having pain and swelling in thumb joints. When she Did RF test it was raised so she thinks it's possible RA. Just wondered what else can cause a high RF reading. Thanks...

[oldtimer]

You can have a raised RF level without having Rheumatoid disease - it just shows that you are more likely than average to develop it. They will take into account the pattern of your symptoms, your signs of inflamed joints (and number) and other blood tests like inflammatory markers and other more specific tests for Rheumatoid Disease. Take a record of your symptoms and signs with you.

If you put first appointment into the search box, you will find lots of useful information from other posts.