Blood tests results

marie48

Got results of blood tests. GP said it shows I have got inflammation in my blood but she canot tell whether it is rheumatoid arthritis the level is a bit high, it shows I have got arthritis. I am confused I thought the blood test should be able to tell. MY results are:- "Rheumatoid Factor" <20.0 iul/ml (<40.0). will be filed as: 43F..00 Rheumatoid factor 20 iu/ml.. Does this make sense to anybody and explain to me what it means! GP sent me fo X-Ray of the knees as they are grinding a lot bone to bone, but not painful just uncomfortable. She said by the results she will decide whether to send me to see Rheumatologist or Orthopaedic surgeon. I have got generalised arthritis and it is spreading, but GP said they cannot do much for the jaw. Any advice pl. Thanks

dreamdaisy

I have no idea what the blood results mean as I don't speak Doctor, but I think it shows a raised inflammation level, which surely means an inflammatory arthritis, so it should be off to a rheumatologist you go. I think rheumatoid arthritis is diagnosed via the sero- positive presence of the RF (rheumatoid factor) but there are sero-negative versions: I have one of those, psoriatic arthritis. By generalised arthritis do you mean OA? I too have that, in my knees and I think also my ankles, thanks to the damage that the PA has done, and it bl**dy hurts, it's worse than the PA pain. :sad: Let us know what you discover, yes? I wish you well. DD

frogmorton

Hi Marie

I think that positive RF is above 20 or something (probably memory not right anyway :oops: ).....maybe the Gp could do some other diagnostic tests to help rule RA in or out???

Mind remember a fair few inflammtory arthritis-es are negative for Rfactor.

Such a worry when you are in pain and can't get a definitive answer isn't it :???:

My only advice - don't give up and be assertive. Careful questioning like "how do we find out...?" Might put the ball in his court??

Love

Toni xx

pinkbritishstars

I agree with Toni, don't give up

Sending you lots of hugs xxx

sciqueen

Hi

It sounds as you sero positive. 20 and under is considered normal. Yours is higher, so I think you have ra. Mine on diagnosis was 40.

Most ra present in hands, that's where they get it worse & other joints. Morning stiffness lasting more than an hour - 2 hour is typical plus swelling. These are the normal diagnosis for ra.

If you have the above it's ra, if not then it may be a different inflammatory disease. But I would bet it's an inflammatory form arthritis.

Hope that helps

Sci x

julie47

Hi

Blood test results baffle me too :???:

Hope the xrays help and that you are sent to the right specialist soon.

Take care

Love Juliepf xx