Rheumatoid Factor

page header

Contents · Introduction · Learning Objectives · Textbook · Lectures · Procedures · Final Exam · Library · Laboratory · Pharmacy · Imaging · Forms · Videos · About · Contact Us>

Rheumatoid Factor

Many individuals with rheumatoid arthritis have a substance in their blood called "rheumatoid factor."

As the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis is based on a number of clinical factors, only one of which is the presence of the RA factor, its' presence alone is not diagnostic of rheumatoid arthritis, but is supportive of the diagnosis:

Some people with RA do not have the RA factor
Some normal people have the RA factor
RA factor appears in some individuals with a variety of other illnesses, including:
- Cancer
- Viral infections
- Syphilis
- Tuberculosis
- Lupus
- Sjoegren's syndrome

Normal Values*

RA Factor

0-69 IU/ml
(Nonreactive)

*These are general values taken from a variety of sources. The actual normal values may vary from lab to lab and from one type of testing protocol to another.

Source: Operational Medicine 2001, Health Care in Military Settings, NAVMED P-5139, May 1, 2001, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Department of the Navy, 2300 E Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20372-5300

This information is provided by The Brookside Associates. The Brookside Associates, LLC. is a private organization, not affiliated with any governmental agency. The opinions presented here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Brookside Associates or the Department of Defense. The presence of any advertising on these pages does not constitute an endorsement of that product or service by either the US Department of Defense or the Brookside Associates. All material presented here is unclassified.

Advertise on this site