RA factors ....are they always true? | Arthritis Information

Hi, I have severe osteoarthritis for years and have had double hip replacements already and now need my knees done down the road...in no hurry and terrified of that.

I was told I might have RA, in fact the nurse at the orthopedic surgeon I go to locally (not the one who did my hips)...said she is sure I did. She encouraged me to go to a rheumatologist, which I have done done yet.

Having lost my family doctor I so related to for 11 years, after he took another position and stopped private practice. I am on my second try of a new primary care physician. He did blood work on me and I just got the results. My RA factor was 8 and according to the ranges, under 14 was normal. Being that my fingers and joints are so bad, and fingers are crooked and ache all the time, along with my hands, I was surprised that it was negative according to the nurse who called. I have searched for information and have none that specifically tells about what "8" is in the range of being under 14? Also, does anyone know what an "alt" is, mine was below normal. Thanks,

Joanie
Hi, Alt is to do with your liver function results, if you are on methotrexate, sulfasalizine or Avrava this can affect you liver, I have to keep a close check on mine as I am on Arava, my Dr gets worried if my reading goes above 60.You can have a normal factor and still have RA, there are other tests they do to determine which arthritis you have. A Rheumatologist can verify what you have and help determine your treatment options. mab52 is right from my experience. I have RA .. I do not have a positive factor.. I don't know if it has anything to do w/ it..but RD said that JRA will never have a positive RF factor? and that is when my RA started at age 10.

I don't know what the numbers mean but I have heard plenty of people with RA do not test positive for RA.

Mine was negative for RA as well, but I sure have it. You need to have the anti-ccp antibody tested. This is a specific marker for rheumatoid. A rheumatologist can really help you, I hope you decide to see one if you are in doubt. I have never tested positive for RA however my Doc says I have serionegative arthritis. At times I have been in a terrible flair, and my sed rate would be unbelieveably low. I do however have a positive ANA test sometimes. [QUOTE=hoathfarm] Hi, Alt is to do with your liver function results, if you are on methotrexate, sulfasalizine or Avrava this can affect you liver, I have to keep a close check on mine as I am on Arava, my Dr gets worried if my reading goes above 60.[/QUOTE]

IF YOU PLAY WITH FIRE YOU CAN GET BURNED.

uffy wrote at 2010-06-11 15:50:31
I was hospitalized from March 3-10, 2010 and recently found out that the Methotrexate I took (96 pills over a 4 month period of time) has caused my fatal diagnosis of Restrictive Lung Disease (I'm working with 50% lung capacity) and Pulonary Fibrosis. I'm trying to find an attorney who will take this malpractice case because my son, an RN, found 59 pages of information on Methotrexate that states my RA Doc should NOT have given it to me. I use to be a robust, agile, 60 year old...now my life is very limited and my new mantra is BREATHE!

Buffy Sproul-Ehrlich
hhronbn562011-03-09 16:32:07hhronbn562011-03-09 16:29:29RA factors....The topic at hand:

What is seronegative ra factor

The rheumatoid factor is a blood immunology test. Some abnormal antibodies (special proteins produced by B-lymphocytes of the immune system in response to substances such as an infectious agents) are often found in the blood of people with rheumatoid arthritis.

This test is often (70 percent to 80 percent) positive in people with rheumatoid arthritis. Laboratories usually report results in "International Units."

A result of over 40 units may be considered abnormal and results can go up to 2,000 units or more, or it may be expressed as a titer (a number to indicate the dilution of blood at which the rheumatoid factor is measured). Tests may be negative during the first several months, making this test less useful in early diagnosis. These factors are also found in healthy people and in patients with other diseases, but less frequently than in rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis is never diagnosed solely based upon a positive RF (rheumatoid factor) test. A positive RF test in conjunction with a physical exam (and other tests as needed) that suggests RA can help make a diagnosis. RF can be positive in people who have no disease at all and is not specific to RA. Other diseases and conditions, including certain infections such as Lyme disease, periodontal disease, and even the flu, can cause a positive or elevated RF. In some cases, a person can have RA and not have a positive RF test. This is referred to as seronegative RA.

RE seropositivity in patients with RA is associated with a more severe disease course. Extra-articular manifestations are seen almost exclusively in RF-positive patients.

Seronegative RA is a distinct, though usually less aggressive, form of the disease. Some investigators believe that RE-negative patients are in an early phase along the disease spectrum, as some of them eventually do seroconvert. Patients who become RE positive as their disease progresses have courses parallel to those of initially seropositive patients.

http://www.arthritis-treatment-and-relief.com/what-is-seronegative-ra-factor.html