Question
My ANA is 1:640 and RF is 20. Not sure if its just 20 or 1:20, I think 20. On a regular basis, with flare ups from time to time, I have Raynaud抯, achy and painful joints, lower back pain every morning, fatigue, mouth ulcers sometimes and nose ones too, also low grade fever of about 100 or so, wrist pain, knee pain etc. I also have had breakouts of hives, and am itchy all the time.  All my other labs like sed rate, DNA Antibodies etc came back normal. But I still have all these symptoms. I also had an enlarged spleen at one point, which on last CT was normal size.
Should I be concerned about the slightly elevated ANA and RF as possibily indicating RA?
Thanks, Megan


Answer
Megan,

Your RA Factor is in the normal range. Twenty and under is considered normal. This does not mean much since you can have RA with out any RA Factor. The combination of ANA and RA Factor and your symptoms points to some type of autoimmune problem. The symptoms are more in line with lupus than RA. Diagnosing these conditions is not easy and getting the correct diagnosis is important in order to develop a treatment plan.

You should be concerned enough to keep seeing your doctor until you get a precise diagnosis. If you are not seeing a Rheumatologist then you may want to ask for a referral.

If you want more information about lupus here is our link to that section.

http://arthritis-symptom.com/lupus/index.htm

Do not take this as a diagnosis. These symptoms can be consistent with a couple of conditions. So please continue to push your doctors for a diagnosis.

I wish you the best

Rusty