🩺 Affordable Private Healthcare

Rheumatoid Factor

Price
£75

Turnaround

2 days

Appointment

15 mins

woman having joint pain

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4.8
4.8/5
4.7
4.7/5
Care Quality Commission
Primary Care & Diagnostics Finalist Award

pound iconPrice: £75

Turnaround: 2 days

Appointment: 15 mins

The Role Of An RF Blood Test

A Rheumatoid FA Rheumatoid Factor tests a type of protein (autoantibody) found in your blood called RF. An RF blood test can help indicate the presence of autoimmune diseases, particularly rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

A positive RF test result can help your doctor diagnose certain conditions. But, a negative RF test is not enough. It is not definitive on its own. Further tests and a complete clinical evaluation are necessary for a proper diagnosis.

Who Should Get Tested?

If you suffer from unexplained joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and fatigue, RF testing can help in diagnosing RA. But, an RA blood test is typically used in combination with other tests and clinical evaluations.

How Is The RF Test Done?

An RF test involves a simple blood draw. It is super straightforward, easy to do and fast. Your blood sample is sent to a lab to be analysed. The lab checks for the presence of RF antibodies. Levels higher than a certain threshold indicate the presence of RF in the blood.

Woman doctor smiling
Woman doctor taking notes

What Does A Positive Rheumatoid Factor Test Mean?

A positive test may suggest that you have an autoimmune disorder. However, it is important to note that not everyone with a positive RF result will have Rheumatoid Arthritis. In fact, some individuals with RA may have actually received negative RF results! These types of results are commonly called “seronegative” RA. Rheumatoid Arthritis can also be elevated in conditions like chronic infections or liver disease.

Importance Of RF Testing In Clinical Practice

RF testing plays an important role in:

  • Early Diagnosis: Early detection of rheumatoid arthritis or other autoimmune conditions can help initiate treatment to prevent further joint damage and manage symptoms.
  • Monitoring Disease Progression: For individuals already diagnosed with autoimmune diseases, RF levels can be tracked over time to monitor disease progression or flare-ups.
  • Guiding Treatment Decisions: Identifying RF helps doctors determine the most appropriate treatment plan for managing conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Assessing Treatment Effectiveness: Regular RF testing can help evaluate how well a patient is responding to treatment, allowing adjustments to be made for optimal disease management.

Statistics​

Adults recorded diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis
0
patients with psoriasis have psoriatic arthritis
0 in 4
People live with an MSK condition in the UK
0 Mill
Completed Blood Test This Year
0

How To Book A Blood Test?

book online or call us

Use our online booking engine or book your test by giving us a call.

Choose your test type

On the online booking engine select the “appointment type” you need.

meet with our experts

You will be seen by one of our friendly phlebotomists or trained clinicians.

Procedure

preparing for appointment

Preparing for test

For a rheumatoid factor test, there is generally no need to fast beforehand. This means you can eat and drink as usual unless your doctor advises otherwise.

during the appointment

During the test

The RF test involves drawing a small amount of blood from a vein in your arm. It is a quick and standard blood-drawing procedure.

post appointment

Results

Elevated RF levels might suggest rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or other autoimmune conditions, though these results are not conclusive on their own. Positive results might also appear in other conditions or in some healthy individuals, especially in older adults. Remember, a negative RF test indicates low or no detectable RF levels. This can commonly occur in people with RA, especially in the early stages.

Why Choose Walk In Clinic
for blood testing

No
Hidden Charges

Transparent fees. The price you see is the price you pay.

No GP consultation
needed

No GP appointment requirement for blood tests

Established
since 1998

Experienced doctors & a professional team.

Strictly
confidential

Your medical records are kept private at all times.

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Rheumatoid Factor

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Book Your Blood Test Today

We offer a wide range of private blood tests in London. Same-day appointments are available 5 days a week.

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We work with experienced consultants & healthcare professionals who have received positive feedback from our patients, and with whom we have established long-term relationships.

fAQ

What is Rheumatoid Factor (RF)?
Rheumatoid Factor (RF) is an antibody present in the blood. Its presence is often associated with autoimmune diseases. In particular, autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Does a positive RF test confirm rheumatoid arthritis?
No, a positive RF test alone does not confirm RA. While many people with RA have elevated RF levels, it can also be elevated in other conditions, such as other autoimmune diseases, infections, or even in some healthy people, especially as they age.
What does a high RF level mean?
High RF levels suggest that there may be inflammation or autoimmune activity in the body. However, high RF levels alone don’t confirm any specific disease; further evaluation is necessary to understand the underlying cause.

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