Rheumatoid Factor (RA Factor) Test in Amravati - Price & Details

PharmEasy Labs assures the speed and accuracy of diagnostic tests. The Labs are present in every city and carry out a wide variety of tests at affordable prices. The Labs employ high-end technology, which is manned by expert technicians. The reports are further verified by pathologists. You will also receive the reports in an email.

Rheumatoid factors are antibodies. Antibodies are produced by the immune system to protect the body from infection. Antibodies are proteins. Certain antibodies that mistakenly attack healthy cells in the body are autoantibodies. Rheumatoid factors are autoantibodies that cause autoimmune diseases.

Rheumatoid factors may be present in small amounts in healthy people. Some people have autoimmune diseases, but their RF levels are normal. However, high levels of rheumatoid factors in the blood accompanied by certain symptoms may indicate an autoimmune disease or another health problem that is related to rheumatoid factors, such as infection, certain types of cancer, etc.

RA factor test is one of a group of blood tests which is mainly performed to help diagnose rheumatoid arthritis. This test is also used to understand the severity of the disease.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory autoimmune disorder that affects the joints, causing painful swelling and stiffness.  This chronic disease can eventually lead to bone loss and joint deformity. Rheumatoid arthritis can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. It can also affect the organs such as the lungs, nerves, eyes and skin.

If the doctor suspects that you have another autoimmune health problem that could raise RF levels, he may recommend an RF test. Other medical conditions that are associated with rheumatoid factor are:

• Sjogren's syndrome: an autoimmune disease typically characterised  by dry mouth and dry eyes
• Lupus: A typical sign of lupus is a red, butterfly-shaped rash over the cheeks and nose. It can affect the joints, kidneys, lungs, heart, blood cells, and the brain
• Scleroderma: The symptoms include hardening and tightening of the skin and connective tissues.
• Juvenile idiopathic arthritis: Affects children and teenagers
• Hepatitis C:  a viral infection that mainly affects the liver
• Endocarditis:  an infection that affects the inner lining of the heart valves
• Tuberculosi: a bacterial  infection that mainly affects the lungs
• Leukaemia: a cancer of blood-forming tissues, including bone marrow

A negative rheumatoid factor test result doesn't rule out the possibility of rheumatoid arthritis or another autoimmune disorder. An RF test alone cannot diagnose any disorders. The other tests that may be recommended to help with the diagnosis include-

• ANA (Antinuclear antibody)
• Anti-CCP (Anti Cyclic citrullinated peptide)
• CRP (C-reactive protein)
• ESR  (Erythrocyte sedimentation rate)

High levels of RF factors often indicate rheumatoid arthritis. However, doctors may do additional tests to figure out if the patient has another autoimmune disease, a severe infection, or an underlying cancer.

If you experience symptoms that make your doctor suspect you have rheumatoid arthritis, they may recommend an RA factor test. The symptoms are as follows:

• Pain in the joints
• Tenderness
• Swelling of the joints
• Joint stiffness for 30 minutes or longer
• Joints feel warm
• Fatigue
• Intermittent fever
• Dry mouth
• Firm lumps beneath the skin
• Anaemia
• Loss of appetite

Doctors may recommend a rheumatoid factor test to find out other autoimmune diseases, chronic infections or certain types of cancer that may elevate the RF level.

An RA factor test does not require any preparation. You do not need to fast.

During the RA Factor Test

• After booking the test, the phlebotomist from PharmEasy Labs will come to your home to collect the blood sample.
• The locating of the vein in your arm will be painless because a vein finder will be used.
• Using a clean needle and syringe, the blood sample will be drawn.
• You will receive the email with the report after the sample is analysed in the labs.