Quick answer
The Rheumatoid Factor (RA Factor) Test costs ₹350 at Live Line Health Care. Detects rheumatoid factor, an antibody found in most people with rheumatoid arthritis but also. No fasting is needed. It uses a blood sample and the report is usually ready the same day. Book home sample collection or visit any of our 45 centres.
Also known as: Rheumatoid Factor, RA Factor, RF Test, RA Test, Serum RA Factor, RA Factor Quantitative, Rheumatoid Arthritis Test, Arthritis Blood Test
What is the RA Factor Test?
Rheumatoid factor (RF) is an antibody that the immune system makes against its own antibodies. It is found in about 70 to 80 percent of people with rheumatoid arthritis, a long-term condition in which inflammation attacks the lining of the joints, typically the small joints of the hands and feet on both sides, with morning stiffness lasting an hour or more. Knowing the RF level helps a doctor classify the arthritis and estimate how active it may become.
RF is not a stand-alone diagnosis. It can be positive in healthy people, especially over 60, and in conditions such as Sjögren’s syndrome, lupus, hepatitis B and C, tuberculosis, chronic lung or liver disease and some long-standing infections. It can also be negative early in rheumatoid arthritis. So doctors read it with your symptoms, a joint examination, ESR or CRP and often an anti-CCP antibody test, which is more specific for rheumatoid arthritis. Ordinary wear-and-tear knee pain in an older person is not a reason for this test on its own.
What it measures: The amount of rheumatoid factor (mainly IgM type) in serum, reported in IU/mL by a quantitative method.
Parameters included (1)
- Rheumatoid Factor (RF), quantitative
Why is this test done?
- Investigating swollen, painful small joints of the hands, wrists or feet
- Helping to diagnose and classify rheumatoid arthritis, with anti-CCP and ESR or CRP
- Estimating the likely course of rheumatoid arthritis, as high RF links with more active disease
- Investigating suspected Sjögren’s syndrome or other autoimmune conditions
When should you get tested?
- Joint pain and swelling in several small joints on both sides of the body
- Morning stiffness in the hands or feet that lasts more than 30 to 60 minutes
- Difficulty making a fist, opening jars or buttoning clothes
- Tiredness, low-grade fever or weight loss together with joint swelling
- Dry eyes and dry mouth that do not settle
How to prepare for the RA Factor Test
- 1No fasting is needed.
- 2Bring any earlier RA factor, anti-CCP, ESR or CRP reports, as doctors look at the trend.
- 3Tell the staff about recent infections, vaccines or known liver disease, which can raise RF.
RA Factor Test normal range
| Parameter | Typical reference range |
|---|---|
| Negative | Below about 14 IU/mL (some labs use below 20 IU/mL) |
| Low positive | Above the cut-off but below about 3 times it |
| High positive | More than about 3 times the lab cut-off |
The cut-off depends on the method used, so read your result against the value on your report. Healthy older adults can have mildly positive values. Ranges are typical adult values and vary between labs, age and sex. Always use the range printed on your report and discuss results with your doctor.
Understanding your results
- A positive RF with typical symptoms supports rheumatoid arthritis, especially when anti-CCP is also positive. Your doctor, often a rheumatologist, confirms the diagnosis clinically.
- A high positive RF in rheumatoid arthritis is linked with a greater chance of joint damage, which is one reason doctors start treatment early.
- A positive RF without joint swelling is common and usually does not need treatment. It may reflect age, an infection or another condition your doctor will consider.
- A negative RF does not rule out rheumatoid arthritis. About 20 to 30 percent of people with it are RF negative, particularly early on.
Health packages that include this test
The RA Factor Test is included in these full body checkups:
Book the RA Factor Test in your city
Same price at all 45 centres. Choose your city for local centres and timings.
Telangana
RA Factor Test – FAQs
What is the price of the RA Factor Test?
The Rheumatoid Factor (RA Factor) Test costs ₹350 at Live Line Health Care, at all 45 centres and for home sample collection.
Does a positive RA factor mean I have rheumatoid arthritis?
Not by itself. RA factor can be positive in healthy older people and in infections, liver disease and other autoimmune conditions. Rheumatoid arthritis is diagnosed from the pattern of joint swelling and stiffness, together with blood tests such as anti-CCP and ESR or CRP. A doctor puts these together.
Can I have rheumatoid arthritis with a negative RA factor?
Yes. Around one in four or five people with rheumatoid arthritis test negative, especially in the first months. If your joints are swollen and stiff, a negative result should not delay a visit to a doctor, who may order anti-CCP or imaging.
What is the difference between RA factor and anti-CCP?
Both are antibodies linked to rheumatoid arthritis. Anti-CCP is much more specific, meaning a positive result is less often seen in other conditions, and it can appear years before symptoms. RA factor is less specific but is widely available. Doctors often use both together.
Should I get an RA factor test for knee pain?
Usually not for knee pain alone, especially if you are over 50 and the pain is worse on walking. That pattern often points to osteoarthritis, which does not raise RF. The test is more useful when several small joints are swollen and stiff in the mornings.
Can RA factor levels go down with treatment?
They can fall with treatment, but doctors do not usually track RA factor to judge how well treatment is working. They rely on symptoms, joint examination and inflammation markers such as ESR or CRP. Repeat RA factor tests are seldom needed once the diagnosis is made.
Where can I get the RA Factor Test done?
At any of our 45 Live Line Health Care centres in 40 cities across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, including Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Warangal, Kakinada and Nellore, or book home sample collection.
Medical disclaimer: This information is for general awareness only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a qualified doctor to interpret your results and before starting or changing any treatment.