About Rheumatoid Factor
Rheumatoid Factor (RF) is an autoantibody that is often elevated in individuals with autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. It targets the Fc portion of IgG antibodies and forms immune complexes that play a role in the inflammatory process in joints.
Reference Values
Optimal Range
Not specified
Elite Value
Not specified
Health Implications
High
Elevated levels may indicate potential autoimmune disorders such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome, or could be present in chronic infections and other inflammatory conditions.
Low
Low levels may be associated with the absence of disease activity or normal variations that do not warrant concern unless accompanied by specific symptoms.
Symptoms
High
May include joint inflammation, stiffness, fatigue, weight loss, and fever.
Low
Can include general tiredness, loss of energy, and subtle joint tenderness.
Lifestyle Factors
Specimen Type
Testing Methods
Also Known As
Scientific Sources
- | Aletaha, D., Smolen, J. S., & McInnes, I. B. (2020). Rheumatoid arthritis. *The Lancet*, 396(10246), 1094-1108.
- Smolen, J. S., Landewé, R. B. M., Bijlsma, J. W. J., Burmester, G. R., Dougados, M., Kerschbaumer, A., ... & van der Heijde, D. (2020). EULAR recommendations for the management of rheumatoid arthritis with synthetic and biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs: 2019 update. *Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases*, 79(6), 685-699.
- England, B. R., Tiong, B. K., Bergman, M. J., Curtis, J. R., Kazi, S., Mikuls, T. R., ... & O'Dell, J. R. (2019). 2019 Update of the American College of Rheumatology Recommended Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease Activity Measures. *Arthritis Care & Research*, 71(12), 1540-1555. |