INFO - On rheumatoid factor (RF)

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Results

Rheumatoid factor (RF) blood test measures the amount of the RF antibody

present in most people with rheumatoid arthritis. The results of the

rheumatoid factor (RF) test may be reported in titers or units:

A titer is a measure of how much the agglutination test blood sample

can be diluted before RF can no longer be detected. A titer of 1 to 20

(1:20) means that RF can be detected when 1 part of the blood sample is

diluted by up to 20 parts of a salt solution (saline). A larger second

number means there is more RF in the blood. Therefore, a titer of 1 to 80

indicates more RF in the blood than a titer of 1 to 20.

Nephelometry units indicate how much light is blocked by the blood

sample in the tube. A high level of RF causes the sample to be cloudy, so

less light passes through the tube than when the RF level is low. Therefore,

an RF level of 100 units is higher than one of 40 units.

Normal

Normal values may vary from lab to lab.

Source:

WebMD Health

" Rheumatoid Factor (RF) " :

http://www.webmd.com/hw/arthritis/hw42783.asp

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