Rheumatoid factor

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Why it's done

By Mayo Clinic staff

A rheumatoid factor test is one of a group of tests primarily used to help pinpoint a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. These other tests may include:

  • Antinuclear antibody (ANA)
  • Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies
  • Complete blood count (CBC)
  • C-reactive protein (CRP)
  • Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR, or sed rate)

The amount of rheumatoid factor in your blood may also help your doctor choose the treatment approach that will work best for your situation.

What you can expect Definition
References
  1. Goodyear CS, et al. Rheumatoid factors and other autoantibodies in rheumatoid arthritis. In: Firestein GS, et al. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: W.B. Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/215187023-6/1040817228/1807/359.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3285-4..10051-8--s0010_1498. Accessed Aug. 18, 2010.
  2. Rheumatoid factor. Lab Tests Online. http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/rheumatoid/multiprint.html. Accessed Aug. 19, 2010.
  3. Shmerling RH. Origin and utility of measurement of rheumatoid factors. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 19, 2010.
MY00241 Oct. 21, 2010

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