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Anyone know about Rheumatoid Factor?

1 reply

shockedballoon · 16/01/2012 12:31

Have just been to GPs to get blood/X-ray results for ongoing hip/pelvis/back pain. Pain is an un-ignorable burning pain that I have struggled to spot any pattern in and s def worse in right hip.

X-rays were effectively normal, but have RF of 80, GP said should be 24 or below. There was another test (sorry can't remember exactly which one, might have been esr) that was slightly elevated which on it's own would not have mattered. So there is some sort of inflammatory thing going on...

Bit more history - mum has SLE (systemic lupus erythematous), I do get tired often (but have a toddler and doesn't everyone) and over past few years I have noticed that being in strong sun often makes me feel a bit nauseous & headachy. GP only knows abt SLE, I have only just thought the last 2 might be relevant.

Typically, I thoughts of questions I wanted to ask on way home and google is not helping massively. So:

  1. Could RF be raised due to another infection/virus?
  2. How high is '80'? What does that mean?
  3. Is it coincidence that my psoriasis is flaring at the moment (at least i think it's psoriasis. Was diagnosed by a gp few years ago and it does seem to respond to exorex lotion and sunshine, which is annoying as the sun can make me feel ropey)?

Anyway, have been referred to early arthritis clinc to get to bottom of what's going on. But going to be several weeks and brain working overtime!

Ideas? Thoughts? Suggested websites to peruse??

That's quite long, sorry Blush

OP posts:
bagelmonkey · 16/01/2012 14:38

Rheumatoid factor is elevated in several conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, many autoimmune diseases, including SLE, some chronic viral infections, and in 'normal' people (especially older people)

It depends on the lab, but I think above about 20 is considered elevated.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition. Rheumatoid factor is elevated in several autoimmune diseases. They could be linked.

It sounds like you could maybe do with seeing a rheumatologist. It's likely that the early arthritis clinic will be run by a rheumatologist.

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