Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine

Susan C. Kim MD - Pediatrics

Martin J. Gabica MD - Family Medicine

Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine

John Pope MD - Pediatrics

<div id="HwMain" class="HwBlock"> <script language="javascript">  if (!window.org) var org = { healthwise: {'application':{}} }; else if (!window.org.healthwise) org["healthwise"] = {'application':{}}; org.healthwise.config = { root: 'https://assetpool.healthwise.net/14.4/common/desktop/alpine.rhtml.kbnet.awesome/', locale: 'en-us', version: '14.4', isoshg: false }; org.healthwise.document = {}; org.healthwise.document.id = "str2348"; org.healthwise.document.section = ""; org.healthwise.document.healthwise = true; org.healthwise.document.title = "Rheumatoid factor (RF)"; org.healthwise.document.family = "kb"; org.healthwise.document.doctype = "Definition"; org.healthwise.document.pagetype = "content";  </script> <div class="HwRow"><div class="HwColumn" id="HwColumnSidebar1"><div class="HwCustom" id="HwCustomSidebar"></div></div><div class="HwColumn" id="HwColumnContent"><div id="HwContentTop"></div><div role="article" id="HwContentWrapper" class="HwTypeDefinition HwContentWrapper HwElement"><div class="HwCustom" id="HwCustomContentTop"></div><div class="HwContentHeader"><p><a name="top" id="Hwtop"><span class="HwAccessibilityText">Top of the page</span></a></p></div><div class="HwContentTitle"><h1 id="HwContentTitle">Rheumatoid factor (RF)</h1></div><div class="HwContent"><div class="HwNavigationSection HwSectionFloat" id="sec-str2348-sec"><a name="str2348-sec"></a><p data-fingerprint="fcb27b49" data-fingerprint-exact="9e1f83f6">Rheumatoid factor (RF) is a protein (antibody) made by the immune system that can attack the body's own tissues. An elevated rheumatoid factor may mean the presence of an inflammatory disease.</p><p data-fingerprint="02374a36" data-fingerprint-exact="ff2ead55">Rheumatoid factor can be measured with a blood test. This is most helpful for diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and Sjögren's syndrome. Certain heart and liver diseases, infectious diseases (such as tuberculosis), and normal aging may also increase RF levels.</p></div></div><div class="HwCustom" id="HwCustomContentBottom"></div><div class="HwContentInformation"><div class="HwLastUpdated"><p><span class="HwInfoLabel">Current as of: </span>April 30, 2024</p></div><div class="HwCredits"><p><span class="HwInfoLabel">Author: </span><a class="HwLinkDisclaimer" href="https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en">Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff</a></p><p><a class="HwLinkDisclaimer" href="https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en"><span><b>Clinical Review Board</b></span></a><br />All Ignite Healthwise, LLC education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.</p></div></div></div></div><div class="HwColumn" id="HwColumnSidebar2"><div class="HwCustom" id="HwCustomNavigationTop"><div class="HwSocialMediaIcons" xmlns=""></div></div><div id="HwNavigationWrapper" class="HwElement"></div><div class="HwCustom" id="HwCustomNavigationBottom"></div><div class="HwElement" id="HwMediaItemsWrapper"></div></div></div><div id="HwFooter" class="HwBlock"><div class="HwDisplayNone"><div class="HwDisclaimer"><p>This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the <a class="HwLinkExternal" href="https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/terms.aspx">Terms of Use</a>. Learn <a class="HwLinkExternal" href="https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en">how we develop our content</a>. </p></div></div></div> <script src="https://assetpool.healthwise.net/14.4/common/desktop/alpine.rhtml.kbnet.awesome/inc/control/healthwise.js"></script> <script src="https://content.healthwise.net/scripts/hw-content-custom_1.0.0.js"></script> </div>

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