What is a Rheumatoid Arthritis Factor (RA) test?
The rheumatoid factor (RF) autoantibody (RF) test determines the presence of rheumatoid antibodies within the body. These are the autoantibodies produced by the body's system that attack the healthy tissues of the body. The presence of a high level of RF antibodies may cause severe autoimmune disorders like atrophic arthritis, LE, and chronic infections like tuberculosis and leukaemia.
When is the Rheumatoid Arthritis Factor (RA) test recommended?
It is recommended:To diagnose rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.To diagnose autoimmune diseases such as Sjogren’s syndrome or Lupus Erythematosus.To diagnose chronic infections.If you experience symptoms of atrophic arthritis, like muscle pain, stiffness of joints in the morning, swollen joints with warmth, severe joint pain, nodules under the skin, low-grade fever, fatigue, and tingling or numbing sensation in the hands, etc.
What does it measure?
The Rheumatoid Arthritis Factor (RA) test is used to measure:The rheumatoid factor RF autoantibody attacks healthy body tissues because it mistakes them for foreign body tissues. It's not found in healthy people.The presence of RF means the body has an autoimmune disorder like atrophic arthritis.The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include stiffness of joints, especially in the morning, pain in joints, underlying skin nodules, loss of bone, and swelling of joints.
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