Test Results For:
Rheumatoid Factor
Test Overview
- Test Name
-
Rheumatoid Factor
- Test Code
- RF
Short Description
Rheumatoid Factor
Test Name
Rheumatoid Factor
Test Code
RF
Category
Allergy/Autoimmune
TAT
Main Lab:
12, 4
Hour(s)
Family Site:
<12hrs, <4hrs
Specimen(s)
1 x Venous blood - 5 mL Tube - Gold - SST-Serum Separator Tube , 1 x - 5 mL Tube - Red - Serum
Specimen Type
SST-Serum Separator Tube
Specimen Format
Tube
Specimen Colour
Gold
Specimen Volume
5 mL
Sampling Order
2
Origin
Venous blood
Collection Time after baseline
-
Transport Temperature
15-25°C
Accepted Other Specimens
Serum
TAT
Main Lab:
12, 4
Hour(s)
Family Site:
<12hrs, <4hrs
Test Stability
Room Temp:
24 Hour(s)
2–8°C:
3 Day(s)
Specimen Type
Serum
Specimen Format
Tube
Specimen Colour
Red
Specimen Volume
5 mL
Sampling Order
2
Origin
-
Collection Time after baseline
-
Transport Temperature
15-25°C
Accepted Other Specimens
Serum
TAT
Main Lab:
12, 4
Hour(s)
Family Site:
<12hrs, <4hrs
Test Stability
Room Temp:
24 Hour(s)
2–8°C:
3 Day(s)
Clinical Interest
The Rheumatoid factor (RF) assay is a blood test commonly used clinically to diagnose and manage autoimmune diseases, particularly rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Although not specific to RA (seen in around 70-80% of RA patients), the presence of rheumatoid factor is an important criterion in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. The presence of RF is observed in approximately 70% to 80% of patients with RA.
Rheumatoid factor can also be detected in systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren's syndrome, cryoglobulinaemia, chronic liver disease, other autoimmune and inflammatory diseases and in a small percentage of healthy individuals.
RF is often used in combination with other markers of inflammation (such as sedimentation rate and CRP) and other autoantibodies (such as anti-CCP) to give an overall picture of disease activity.
Clinical Information Required
-
Patient Collection Note
-
LOINC Code
572-5, 11572-5, 5297-7
Outwork
No