Extremely high RF factor (1780) | Arthritis Information

I am new here, and 36 years old, healthy except for a string of 8 unexplained miscarriages, where the diagnosis was "something autoimmune and potentially linked to RA" but that's it.

However, after that vague diagnosis from a reproductive endocrinologist, I decided to go to a rheumatologist just to get checked up. My RF level came back very elevated, at 280. But I didn't have any real joint stiffness - physical exam was fine. No other b/w was positive either except for ESR at roughly 25. She said to check back in within 3 months to retest and monitor RF level, but that I didn't have RA.

In the next 4 months, I did start to experience sligtht joint stiffness in my fingers and toes, but nothing that I would have ordinarily gone to a doctor about. Nonetheless, i went in to retest, and my RF level is now 1780!!!! Also positive for anticardiolipn antibodies, same ESR/sed rate (25), and have high platelet count (433).

Does this mean that I have RA or am on my way to RA? Have any of you taken meds to try to slow the progress of RA, even before you were significantly symptomatic? I feel reluctant to start plaquenil, or worse- prednisore or Humira/Enbrel, if it's not really warranted.

Could a high RF like this be a symptom of anything else besides RA? Thank you for your insight!

Hi,

I'm chiming in to welcome you.....so sorry you needed to find this website.

I am a seronegative RA.....I ALWAYS test negative for RA antibodies. But I know in short order those on this website who have tested positive will be responding with their words of wisdom.

RF can test positive in 1-2% of the healthy population. It has also been known to test positive in cases of a number of different autoimmune diseases as well as severe infection. Some of the diseases that put out a high RF [with RA being the most common cause] are systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), scleroderma, Sj�gren's syndrome, and vasculitis. Less common conditions with high RF values include tuberculosis, mononucleosis, syphilis, leukemia, cirrhosis, chronic active hepatitis, infection of a heart valve (endocarditis), sarcoidosis, and some infections caused by a virus or parasite (such as malaria). Factors that can interfere with your test and the accuracy of the results include: Blood that is very high in fats, which may cause a falsely high rheumatoid factor (RF) result.

I have to comment on the Sed Rate [ESR] - one wonders why they bother doing that test. Mine has never been abnormal in all 16 years that they've tested it. I guess it's in the Rheumatologists' guidelines......

I can address medication and the answer is a resounding YES - you do want to start on meds as soon as possible to halt the progression of the disease. In my case Methotrexate has worked well over all these years. I haven't needed to turn to Enbrel or any of the new biologics. However, MTX should never be used by women considering pregnancy. There are lots of drugs out there and a good rheumatologist will help you figure out what's best for you.

For starters I would think your rheumatologist should consider NSAIDS to help with pain and inflammation. I have great success with Celebrex, though there are a number of drugs that might work for you.

I want to applaud your taking the initiative of checking this out with a rheumatologist. So many people tend to sit and wait until the disease gets out of control. Nip it in the bud, I say.

Hang tight, as I know others on this board will be chiming in with their wisdom.

Good luck to you!

Welcome to the forum. The anticardiolipin antibodies could even be caused by a miscarrage. I hate it when people are left without a clear diagnosis. How frustrating that must be. The RD may need to watch you awhile and see if anything is developes.

Keep a diary of all strange things that may happen to your body. For an example if you get a dry mouth or dry eyes you could have Sjorgrens.

It takes a little time with auto immune diseases to get a clear diagnosis immediately. I really truely hope for your sake that nothing bad developes. I would continue to go back to rheumotologist if you continue to have joint pain or any other problems. The different disease are named for antibodies attacking different parts of the body. So if the bloodwork gives no clear answer then a diagnosis has to be made by symtems.

So even if your pain is not to bad. Keep track of how long it last. If you have stifness in the morning how long does that last ect.

I wish you luck. Let us know how things turn out. Welcome to the forum.

Hello.. Welcome..
Sorry you are feeling so poorly
this is a difficult disease to DX..... Even I with a history of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis but sero-negative, had to wait for a true diagnosis by withdrawing joint fluid while in a flare.

It takes time to DX because to help you best ..... you want the right decision for the right meds!
Thank you all so much for your responses- a LOT of very helpful information was provided. I really appreciate it! I do have some follow up questions but I think I'll start a new post as they are very general in nature. Thanks again!!!!
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