Rheumatoid factor (RA factor) is an antibody that may be present in the blood or the synovial fluid in autoimmune diseases and other conditions. Rheumatoid factor test is a blood test used to detect the presence or absence of RA factor in the blood. RA factor is used to diagnose Rheumatoid arthritis. RA factor in the blood is normally associated with autoimmune diseases.  It may often be prescribed by the doctors to differentiate from other types of arthritis. In rheumatoid condition the body’s immune system incorrectly attacks healthy cells, leading to inflammation, mostly in joints.

Rheumatoid factor test measures the presence or absence of RA factor in blood.

Your doctor will recommend you to take the RA Factor test, if you suffer from following symptoms:

• Pain in the joints
• Swelling or increased warmth in the joints
• A sensation of joint stiffness which extends over 30 minutes
• Loss of appetite
• Frequent low-grade fevers
• Anaemia
• Chronic infections such as tuberculosis, hepatitis C or endocarditis

The HbA1c test is a simple blood test with no need for fasting before the test. The blood sample can be taken by the phlebotomist at a pathology lab.