Question
Hi

For the past two years I have suffered extreme fatigue with painful joint all over the body, this has got increasingly worse so much so that I have gone to my Doctor.

I have had several blood tests one being Rheumatoid factor tis has come back RF positive 19.7. Is this relatively high and any cause for concern? I have been told that thendoctor would like to see me, but there are other blood tests that he is awaiting results from - immunolgy blood tests. Any explanation would be greatly appreciated.

I am female 45 years but at present feel like I have the body of an 80 year old. I am getting costants coughs, colds, chest infections and have had pleurisy once and pnemonia twice. I ache from head to foot with extreme pain in both hips shoulders, knees and elbows. Moderate pain in knuckles, fingers - although I suffer severe cramp to the knuckle area of one hand, moderate pain to wrists, ankles, neck, and shins?!.

kind regards

Teresa

Answer
I'm not sure why your RF would be positive at 19.7.  It depends on the range that lab uses, and you'd have to ask your doctor about it.  The "immunology" tests he's waiting for are probably anti-nuclear antibodies, or ANAs.  If your body is making certain antibodies, it can support a diagnosis, the same way the RF can.  None of these tests are diagnostic - your doc is using them in combination with your symptoms and what he can see when examining you to make a diagnosis.

I'm so sorry you're in pain and hope you see your doc again soon to get a diagnosis and some relief.  I understand being in a 40-something body and feeling 80.  I can tell you with time and the right treatment things have improved for me, and I hope they will for you soon.