ra factor question | Arthritis Information
Hi
New here, I have been having joint pain and stiffness, pretty bad last month so I got checked out Monday. I had a normal sed rate (18) and then found out on the phone today the nurse said RA test was positive and was more than double what it should be, a 36. What I've seen online that seems pretty low to me.
Also, I read that the ra factor can be a predictor of how bad the disease is? or can get?
Can you guys give me a clue? I've been referred to a rheumatologist. But full of questions now. What can I expect? Are the things I mentioned above correct?
umm, maybe this is not the right place to post this?
Sounds like they are correct. I do not really know much. I know... I have this disease, but mine is kinda different as I was diagnoised when I was a toddler... so I do not know much about the being diagnoised part.
Someone will come along soon, who will be able to help answer your questions.
Welcome to AI! And please keep us posted!
Oh forgot... this is the right place to post those questions. Thanks so much, I'll keep an eye out.Hi Kelly -
Yes that seems low, but its always better to catch this stuff early. I believe the most definitive test is the CCP, and that's not all that either. I think what you're referring to is that a positive RF is considered to be indicitive of how bad the disease would be. If it's any consolation, on diagnosis I was 353 and at start of therapy I was 706. And I'm doing fine. So don't worry too much, wait and see the rheumy, and ask a ton of questions...it's what we're here for.
Hugs,
Pip
Thank you Pip! I'm just totally befuddled by all this. I guess I'll learn more soon enough. none of this is easy but it sounds like you are doing the right things so hang in there and see what your RD says. they have so many meds out there now and they start people on them earlier so there is less overall damage. you are at the right place . keep us all updated. wonderwomanWhile it my seem low, it doesn't have to be high for you to have active disease. Get evaluated by the rheumatologist. If he rules out RA, lucky you, but if he/she thinks you have it, lucky to get in while you've caught it in the early stages....Lab numbers don't mean a whole lot with this disease. You are having symptoms and the sooner you get a lid on the disease process the better off you'll be. Sorry this is happening to you.I started off with 700+ and would not have a clue about the current numbers but agree with the rest.
If you do have it, jump on it hard right from the start.
The quicker the better you will be in the long run.......
The better result is to not have it at all, best of luck..
Gimpy's right. lab numbers don't directly reflect what activity you are having or what destruction there is going on...
I hope you find the help that you need.. good luck.
I was RF 150 at dx and anti-CCP at 46, with a normal CRP, but have gone sero-positive with the CRP twice since then. My RF is now in hovering in the 50s and there is no need to repeat the anti-CCP once you test high. I have seen calls for study patients asking for RFs of 2,000 or more. I am with everyone else, we all hope you don't have RA. Good luck. Kellyak, welcome to the site. I started out positive RF, went negative and now I'm positive again. I have read that seropositive people CAN have a poor outcome and more agressive disease. But I have mild to moderate RA. Some people here that are negative have severe disease so I'm not sure about the RF test at times. The antiCCP is more specific to RA and mine was negative. I have never had it rechecked. My CRP and ESR are always very high. Please get on treatment so you can better handle this disease. Good luck.
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