RF lab results- my 1st question to all of you | Arthritis Information

 

OK, so here is my first question to all of you. It’s about Rheumatoid Factor lab results.

 

In all my 7 yrs of RA, my RF is always high. My lab states neg is 0-13.9. The lowest mine has ever been was 1,250. Every 1-2yrs Dr repeats it, I think from curiosity, since it's mostly done for initial diagnosis help. I've been tested several times for every other possible explanation ie liver disease, but all those are always neg. A few months ago, it showed my RF is 1,648.

 

Does anybody else have or heard of such an exceedingly high number?

I wonder what it means.

CathyMy doctor said he has seen RF numbers that high.  I know people whose RF numbers have come down significantly with treatment. Wow. I'm also interested to know how severe your RA is in comparasion.Plaquenil... first couple years, until a bad headcold "shut it off".

 

Methotrexate...since '05. It helped my joints return to when the Plaquenil was working, but not my daily debilitating fatigue. Dr says that's because it makes the TNF worse, which explains why every day, at some point around 4-5 hours after getting up in the morning, I feel like I have the flu/high fever. Going to bed for a solid 2-3hr nap is restorative to help with the evening. But I sure do appreciate being able to dress, eat, ability to do some household tasks (no gripping a sponge).

 

I can't take any anti-inflammatories at all... including Prednisone...   they put me into full-blown anaphylaxis.

 

I need a TNF inhibitor, like the Biologicals are, but I can't afford the high co-pay cost. I don't seem to qualify to be in trials because of having multiple conditions. So, I'm in a bit of a pickle for now.

 

Thanks for your reply, Cathy

Cathy, I don't have any answers for you, but I just wanted you to know that I'm sorry you are in this position. That sucks !
Welcome to the forum and I hope someone has some info that can help. Sounds pretty severe. Have you tried to go on the TNF drug websites? I think some will help you out with costs.There are a number of organizations that can help with costs.  I used The Healthwell Foundation for years when receiving Remicade and the Orencia.  There is also the Partnership for Prescripton Assistance(the Montel Williams one). Cathy, following is a list of organizations that will pay for biologics.  Hope this helps.  I had a severe onset of RA and at one time my RF was at 1,000 and it was the time that I was at my worst.  It took years for it to come down but I'm now in clinical remission 11 years later.  Lindy I knew an APer who had a RF of over 7400.  Last I heard she was down to 2000 and back to work. Yikes!  And people have always thought my RF was high.  I'm curious if the number goes down when in remission.  I don't think my doc plans on rechecking the number.

7400?  OMG - CathyMarie - I have seen a call for RA patients to participate in drug studies, but had to have an RF of over 2,000.  All my reading is that once you have any number of a positive RF, that's all the test is good for, diagnostics.  I could be wrong, but my understanding is that it doesn't correlate to disease activity. 

Pip, you crack me up, sell your blood.  CathyMarie, you might have a steady income :)  CathyFL

Hi all.... thank you so much for all your replies..that were made so quickly!

I plan to follow up with those ideas about help with meds costs before my next dr appt.

Interestingly, my joint involvement isn't as severe as the RF # would indicate... it's there, but not as bad as before Methotrexate finally kicked in (didn't see improvement for over 6 mo).

But, like I said, the fatigue is just plain stupid.

I appreciate all and more responses. This place (is it considered a place -ha! ) is great.

Cathy

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