HealthWise KnowledgeBase
Rheumatoid Factor (RF)
What To Think About
- A small number of people have a high RF level but do not have rheumatoid arthritis. A small number of these people will later have rheumatoid arthritis.
- A doctor always uses the results of an RF test along with information gained from a medical history and physical examination before diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis.
- Cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) is an antibody that is found in the blood of more than half of all people who have rheumatoid arthritis. It is used to confirm a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.
- Some people have rheumatoid arthritis and have a normal level of RF. The RF test may need to be repeated if rheumatoid arthritis is suspected and the first RF level was normal.
- Most children who have Reference juvenile idiopathic arthritis Opens New Window do not have a high RF level.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: Reference June 4, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Reference Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
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