Question 1

can there be changes in rheumatoid factor?

Accepted Answer

YES: Rheumatoid factors can change sometimes day to day and also how the test is done. It also may change with the level of disease activity.

Question 2

can there be large changes in rheumatoid factor over a few weeks?

Accepted Answer

Yes.: Particularly if taking dmards. These are drugs to treat ra.  Rf levels are now reported in units rather than dilutions, so big drops do occur, and a a good sign that the medication is working.

Question 3

what's rheumatoid factor?

Accepted Answer

A protein in  blood: Rheumatoid factor is a protein-igm- directed against another protein- igg in the blood and is seen in high frequency(>80%) of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. It is not specific for R.A. As it may be seen in other disease states a high concentration of rhuematoid factor is highly suspicious for the disease but it has to fit the patient's complaints and physical findings.

Question 4

what does rheumatoid factor mean?

Accepted Answer

Rheumatoid factor is: An antibody that is not normally found in the blood, so your body's production of it may indicate RA or another connective tissue disease. However, it can also be present in healthy individuals with no known disease. By contrast, according to the national institutes of health, individuals with these types of diseases can have a low rheumatoid factor or none at all.

Question 5

what does rheumatoid factor 5 mean?

Accepted Answer

Your question cannot: Can't answer your question.  Rf of 5 tells me little.  Rephrase it and i'll try again!

Question 6

what does having high rheumatoid factor mean?

Accepted Answer

The higher more sign: The higher the titer of rf, the more likely it is a significant indicator of an automimmune disease, most likely ra.  However it can be quite elevated in sarcoid, sjogren's, cryoglobulinemia, among others to name a few.  A ccp antibody should be the next test obtained. If significantly positive, the DX is probably ra.

Question 7

how and when can a rheumatoid factor be produced?

Accepted Answer

Antibody produced: There are plasma cells that  produce antibodies. These are throughout the body and especially in the bone marrow and lymph nodes and they also circulate. They are stimulated to produce rheumatoid factor, when they are  exposed to an antigen. It can also be produced in many conditions including infections, chronic illness, rheumatoid arthritis and other connective  tissue diseases.

Question 8

what does it mean if my rheumatoid factor is 7060?

Accepted Answer

High value: I am assuming you had the test done because you were having joint pain and if this is so, it looks as though you may have rheumatoid arthritis. Some patients with high values like you have may require more aggressive treatment for your joint disease. See a rheumatologist if not doing so already.

Question 9

can you tell me how is rheumatoid factor produced?

Accepted Answer

RF!: Rheumatoid factor is present in 5% of the population, while only about 1% have rheumatoid arthritis.  Rheumatoid factor is usually an igm moiety directed against the "tail" of igg! any chronic immune stimulation, including infection, can cause a positive rf!

Question 10

what does it mean if my rheumatoid factor is positive?

Accepted Answer

See details: The rheumatoid factor is not that specific. The ccp antibody is much more specific for ra. If you have joint pain and swelling, RA is a major, but not the only possibility.

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Can rheumatoid factor change

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Can there be changes in rheumatoid factor?

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How and when can a rheumatoid factor be produced?

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