RA factor test at home in Dubai

RA Factor (Arthritis). Rheumatoid factor, an antibody that can be raised in rheumatoid arthritis and some other conditions where the immune system is overactive.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition where the immune system attacks the lining of the joints, causing pain, swelling and stiffness. Many people with it have a raised rheumatoid factor, which is why the test is widely used. But the link is loose in both directions. Some people with rheumatoid arthritis test negative, especially early on, and many people who test positive never develop it.

Rheumatoid factor can be positive in healthy people, and it becomes more common with age. It can also be raised by other autoimmune conditions, some long-term infections and some liver and lung conditions. So the result only means something next to symptoms. On the screen it sits with CRP and ESR from the same draw, which show general inflammation and help put it in context.

• Joint pain, swelling or warmth, especially in the hands, wrists or feet
• Morning stiffness that lasts more than half an hour
• The same joints affected on both sides of the body
• Tiredness alongside joint pain
• A family history of rheumatoid arthritis or other autoimmune conditions

• Follow the fasting instructions for the full screen.
• Tell your consultant about any joint symptoms, how long you have had them and whether they are worse in the morning.
• Mention any recent infection or illness.

Reference ranges differ between labs, and a single result is a snapshot. Your consultant reads every value against your history and the rest of the screen, not in isolation.

This test is part of Baseline’s full blood screen: 122 parameters across ten systems from one draw, for AED 850, with results in 48 hours. It is not sold as a single test, because the result means more next to everything else.

• Nurse comes to you. A licensed phlebotomist visits your home or office, 7 days a week, anywhere in the UAE.
• Accredited lab. Samples are processed by a CAP-accredited laboratory (College of American Pathologists), also accredited to ISO 15189, against clinical reference ranges.
• Reviewed with you. Results land in your account in Baseline format, and your consultant walks you through them on video, never a PDF dumped in your inbox.

Your results arrive in the Baseline app, every marker against the lab’s own range, checked by your consultant before you see them. The values above are an example.

See everything the screen covers

Does a positive RA factor mean I have rheumatoid arthritis?

No. It is not a diagnosis. Rheumatoid factor can be positive in healthy people, more often with age, and in several other conditions.

Can I have rheumatoid arthritis with a negative RA factor?

Yes. Some people with rheumatoid arthritis test negative, especially early on. Joint symptoms matter more than the number.

What else can raise rheumatoid factor?

Getting older, other autoimmune conditions, some long-term infections and some liver and lung conditions can all raise it.

Can I book an RA factor test on its own?

No. RA factor is part of the Gut, Stress & Allergy section of the full home screen, measured from the same single draw as everything else.

Related tests

• Full blood count test
• IgE allergy test
• Vitamin test
• Cortisol test

This page is general information, not a diagnosis. If you feel unwell, or your symptoms are new or getting worse, speak to a doctor.