Common "Rheumatoid Factor" queries answered by top doctors | iCliniq

Rheumatoid Factor

Rheumatoid factor, otherwise called RF, is an autoantibody (a protein) that is produced by the immune system. This autoantibody attacks healthy tissues and results in autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogren's syndrome. Sometimes, healthy people also have some levels of rheumatoid factor in the body.

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All the answers published in this website are written by verified medical doctors, therapists and health experts. The Content has been moderated by iCliniq medical review team before publication. Post your medical clarifications on iCliniq by choosing the right specialty and get them answered. Your medical queries will be answered 24/7 by top doctors from iCliniq.

My husband has pancreas granulomas. Is it autoimmune?

Query: Hello doctor, My husband is 31 years old and has severe anxiety. He was told that granulomas were found on his pancreas and possibly his lungs. They believe it is due to some sort of an autoimmune disorder. Is there anything that can be done to prolong his life? Should we be worried?  Read Full »


Dr. Patil Pratik Pramod

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. An autoimmune disorder does not necessarily mean his life will be shortened. There arenumerous types of autoimmune diseases which are pathologically neutral and do not endanger life. So, please see a rheumatologist and get him investigated. Regards.   Read Full »

I have ankle and calf muscle pain. Could it be RA?

Query: Hello doctor, I am a 38-year-old male, suffering from RA from the last two years and recently started the treatment with an orthopedic doctor for AVN of the hip. I have been told by my orthopedician at icliniq to consult a rheumatologist for my ankle and calf muscle pain, and for my RA medication an...  Read Full »


Dr. Srivastava Durgesh

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. After going through the details of your query, there are a few things to be clarified first. You have not mentioned any involvement of the small joints of hands, wrists or feet. The joints you have mentioned only include large joints. If it is really so, then the lik...  Read Full »

I have rheumatoid arthritis with degenerative changes and reduced space between bones. Kindly help.

Query: Hello doctor, I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, my rheumatoid factor was above 200 IU/mL, and I was under treatment with HCQS for about six months. Now, my rheumatoid factor is 42 IU/mL. The x-ray that I took a couple of years ago suggests degenerative changes and reduced space between bo...  Read Full »


Dr. Anshul Varshney

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Rheumatoid arthritis cannot be cured entirely, but it can be well controlled. I would suggest you discuss with your doctor to start you on HCQS (Hydroxychloroquine), Etoricoxib, Calcium, vitamin D3, and Prednisolone. Based on your liver and kidney function tests, it is ...  Read Full »

Do I have stiff finger joints in morning due to arthritis?

Query: Hello doctor,I get stiff joints in the fingers (like an elastic effect) when I get up from bed in the morning. I also get ankle pain. After a few movements, I am fine. I consulted a rheumatologist who mentioned that it is psoriatic arthritis. My joint pain is very mild and comes only when I am idle ...  Read Full »


Dr. Ashaq Hussain Parrey

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I went through your post. You have inflammatory joint pain which is causing stiffness of the joints once they are rested. This is called the jelly phenomenon. If you have psoriasis or any member in your family has psoriasis then one can call it psoriatic arthritis. T...  Read Full »

Could positive RA factor and low TLC be the reason for numbness in my hands?

Query: Hi doctor, I am a 42-year-old female. I am having hand numbness and on the below medicine. But still no improvement. I have performed some lab tests. Hemoglobin 18.2. Packed cell volume (PCV) - 53. RBC count - 5.88. Total leukocyte count (TLC) - 3.9. Platelet count - 140. HbA1c - 5.2. Estima...  Read Full »


Dr. Puri Divya Inder

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I hope you have met a rheumatologist personally also. Because she is suffering from arthritis, her rheumatoid factor is positive, and blood reports do not seem good as the TLC (total leukocyte count) and platelets are low, and hemoglobin is high. Does she have a history...  Read Full »

I have severe arm pain despite taking arthritis medication. Why?

Query: Hello doctor,I am a 26-year-old woman, and I am suffering from severe pain in my right arm, especially in the joints from the shoulder to the elbow and near my thumb. The doctor gave me arthritis medications, and it does not work for me. It all started when I developed thyroid goiter. The goiter is ...  Read Full »


Dr. Atul Prakash

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Do you have morning stiffness? Do the small joints of your hand feel swollen in the morning? Do you respond to arthritis medications? Which medications have you been taking? Please get erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), RA (rheu...  Read Full »

My ferritin levels, BUN, rheumatoid factor, and typical lymphocyte count are high. Why so?

Query: Hello doctor, My ferritin levels, BUN, rheumatoid factor, and typical lymphocyte count are high. Can they all be connected somehow? I have been sick for over a year or so. Please help.  Read Full »


Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri

Answer: Hi, Welcome to the icliniq.com. I went through your query. According to your history, serum ferritin is high in anemia of chronic disease. Here chronic disease includes inflammation, chronic infection, and cancer. Vitamin B12 levels are usually high when B12 supplements are prescribed. But since ...  Read Full »

I am a 40-year-old male with current RA Factor is measured at 171 with knee pain. Kindly help.

Query: Hello doctor, I am a 40-year-old male with normal blood pressure and no other medical conditions is currently dealing with rheumatoid arthritis. The condition primarily affects both knees, and the current RA Factor is measured at 171. Kindly help.  Read Full »


Dr. Rakesh Karanwal

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I read your query and understood your concern. Based on the information you provided, your rheumatoid arthritis (RA) factor value is significantly elevated. You have not specified the medications in use, which might need adjustments based on your current condition. Ass...  Read Full »

Can rheumatoid arthritis cause joint pain, anemia, swollen lymph node, and fever?

Query: Hi doctor, I am a 22-year-old female. My height is 5 feet 3 inches and my weight is 97 lbs. I started experiencing pain in my joints an year ago. The pain continued and increased in intensity. Before eight months I was told that my blood was a bit low. I fractured my arm very easily seven months ag...  Read Full »


Dr. Nischith D S

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand that you have been diagnosed with rheumatic arthritis through your blood and clinical parameters. You have been treated for anemia and arm fracture. Your blood reports say you have high inflammatory markers. To diagnose rheumatic arthritis, we need to have ...  Read Full »

How to help my wife who is having high ESR, RA factor, and swollen fingers?

Query: Hello doctor, I want a good rheumatologist for my wife who has been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. She has got RA factor 150 and no other problems in blood reports. Anti-CCP is negative. She has swollen fingers both in her hands and legs. She is currently on Shellcal 500 and D joint capsules.  Read Full »


Dr. Naval Mendiratta

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have gone through the reports (attachment removed to protect patient identity). There is a high ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate), RA factor. I would like to take a few more details on the history part. But it would be better if someone can examine the joints as it...  Read Full »

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