About Karen Brawner Expertise I can answer questions regarding osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. I can also answer questions regarding other autoimmune diseases of which rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease.
Experience I have a family history of rheumatoid arthritis and I myself suffer from osteoarthritis. I also suffer from systemic sclerosis and CREST syndrome which are also autoimmune disease (rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease.)
Question I had a blood level draw a few months back for my RA factor - It was a 14...I eventually went to a RA Dr. and she says by her physical exam I have fibromialga but was concerned about the high Ra factor so she ran it again. This time it was 148. So the Dr. had me do a Hepatitis C test and that was negative. So what can be causing this high RA factor? I am not in extreme pain all the time,- but normally... (I know the pain and tightness is there on a constant basis).
Answer Dear Joanne, Since you are seeing a Rheumatologist, it would be to your best interest that she not only check you for hepatitis-c but also the following which can all be caused do to a HIGH RF blood test (RF stands for rheumatoid factor):
1.rheumatoid arthritis
2.other autoimmune diseases like Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
3.chronic viral infection
4.subacute bacterial endocarditis
5. tuberculosis
6.scleroderma
7.infectious mononucleosis
8.leukemia
9.cirrhosis
10. syphilis
11.renal (kidney) disease
You see if the RF is high other tests must be done to rule in or out these above diseases... Since I do not know your symptoms and if she feels you have the autoimmune disease Fibromyalgia, then that is possible, but you should be sure you do not have LUPUS and you should have an "ANA" blood tests done just to be sure....
