Guest guest Posted November 29, 2006 Report Share Posted November 29, 2006 At 04:03 PM 11/29/2006, you wrote: >I am curious as well about the RF levels because my fiances was 474 >when he was diagnosed in August/September. I don't understand what >that means. Can anyone help me? FROM ABOUT Arthritis.com .....nancy Rheumatoid factor is an immunoglobulin (antibody) which can bind to other antibodies. Antibodies are normal proteins found in the blood which function within the immune system. Rheumatoid factor though is not normally found in the general population (only found in about 1-2% of healthy people). The incidence of rheumatoid factor increases with age and about 20% of people over 65 years old have an elevated rheumatoid factor. A blood test is used to detect the presence of rheumatoid factor. The blood test is commonly ordered to diagnose <http://arthritis.about.com/od/radiagnosis/a//od/rheumatoidarthritis/>rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid factor is present in 80% of adults who have rheumatoid arthritis but there is a much lower prevalence in <http://arthritis.about.com/od/radiagnosis/a//od/jra/>juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. The incidence of rheumatoid factor increases with duration of disease in rheumatoid arthritis: at 3 months the incidence is 33%, while at one year it is 75%. Up to 20% of rheumatoid arthritis patients remain negative for rheumatoid factor (also known as " seronegative rheumatoid arthritis " ) throughout the course of their disease. The amount of rheumatoid factor in blood can be measured by: Agglutination tests One method mixes the patient's blood with tiny latex beads covered with human antibodies (IgG). The latex beads clump or agglutinate if rheumatoid factor (IgM RF) is present. Another method mixes the patient's blood with sheep red blood cells that have been covered with rabbit antibodies. The red blood cells clump if rheumatoid factor is present. A titer is an indicator of how much the agglutination test blood sample can be diluted before rheumatoid factor is undetectable. A titer of 1:20 indicates that rheumatoid factor can be detected when 1 part of blood is diluted by up to 20 parts saline. The lab value for rheumatoid factor of 1:20 or less is considered normal. Nephlometry test This method mixes the patient's blood with antibodies that cause the blood to clump if rheumatoid factor is present. A light is passed through the tube containing the mixture and an instrument measures how much light is blocked by the mixture. Higher levels of rheumatoid factor create a more cloudy sample and allow less light to pass through, measured in units. The lab value for rheumatoid factor of 23 or less units is considered normal. When analyzing lab results the following should be considered: * A rheumatoid factor more than 23 units and a titer more than 1:80 is indicative of rheumatoid arthritis but may also occur in other conditions. * False positive results can occur when the blood is high in fats. * Inaccurate results can be caused by improper handling of the blood specimen. * A negative test result for rheumatoid factor does not exclude the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 24, 2007 Report Share Posted January 24, 2007 hello everyone! I hope everyone is having agood week! Mine is ok so far- I'm inthe process of consultations for explant and I'm hoping to set the date in the next week ro so here! I am curious as to how many of you had apositive rheumatoid factor and what the number was and if that changed after explantation. I have a positive R. factor of 38 and joint pain, nut I am not yet totally onvinced that I have RA. Anyone else experience this? Thank you, kris --- Rogene S <saxony01@...> wrote: > , > > En bloc is not always possible. But you want a > doctor who has the skills and appreciates the reason > for doing en bloc removal. > > En bloc means removing the capsule with the implant > still inside. This prevents any contaminents that > may be between the implant and the capsule wall from > leaking into your chest cavity. > > You don't want anything left behind . . . tissue or > fluid that may cause further problems. > > That said, it's not alway possible to remove the > implants en bloc - or even to get all the capsule. > But every effort should be made to do so. > > Rogene ________________________________________________________________________________\ ____ The fish are biting. Get more visitors on your site using Search Marketing. http://searchmarketing./arp/sponsoredsearch_v2.php Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 25, 2007 Report Share Posted January 25, 2007 My positive ANA test comes and goes. I know the number is always under 80, though I'm not sure exactly what it has been. The times it has been positive, I've met all the criteria for Lupus and Sjogren's Syndrome. It hasn't been positive recently. I had more positives in the first 5-6 years after implanting. Regarding rheumatology, I've been diagnosed with: degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis, connective tissue disease (not sure what the differences are), fibromyalgia, and keep having bursitis in my hips. And, like I was saying, at times I meet criteria for the other illnesses, and other times I don't. Maybe our bodies fight it off better at times when we take the best care of ourselves! Brigite Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 25, 2007 Report Share Posted January 25, 2007 hello everyone! I hope everyone is having agood week! Mine is ok so far- I'm inthe process of consultations for explant and I'm hoping to set the date in the next week ro so here! I am curious as to how many of you had apositive rheumatoid factor and what the number was and if that changed after explantation. I have a positive R. factor of 38 and joint pain, nut I am not yet totally onvinced that I have RA. Anyone else experience this? Thank you, kris --- S <kasdance@...> wrote: > hello everyone! > I hope everyone is having agood week! Mine is ok so > far- I'm inthe process of consultations for explant > and I'm hoping to set the date in the next week ro > so > here! I am curious as to how many of you had > apositive > rheumatoid factor and what the number was and if > that > changed after explantation. I have a positive R. > factor of 38 and joint pain, nut I am not yet > totally > onvinced that I have RA. Anyone else experience > this? > Thank you, > kris > --- Rogene S <saxony01@...> wrote: > > > , > > > > En bloc is not always possible. But you want a > > doctor who has the skills and appreciates the > reason > > for doing en bloc removal. > > > > En bloc means removing the capsule with the > implant > > still inside. This prevents any contaminents that > > may be between the implant and the capsule wall > from > > leaking into your chest cavity. > > > > You don't want anything left behind . . . tissue > or > > fluid that may cause further problems. > > > > That said, it's not alway possible to remove the > > implants en bloc - or even to get all the capsule. > > But every effort should be made to do so. > > > > Rogene > > > > > ________________________________________________________________________________\ ____ > The fish are biting. > Get more visitors on your site using Search > Marketing. > http://searchmarketing./arp/sponsoredsearch_v2.php > ________________________________________________________________________________\ ____ Don't pick lemons. See all the new 2007 cars at Autos. http://autos./new_cars.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 25, 2007 Report Share Posted January 25, 2007 Hi Kris, I had a positive rheumatoid factor...the first in my family history ever to have it. I don't know if I had a positive RF before explant, as I wasn't tested until after explant. I can tell you that it went actually UP in a few months after I had it first tested. It was initially tested in April 1998, 2 months post explant. April 1998 = 117. (Normal should be < 40) August 1998 = 159 August 2003 = 60 As you can see, it took 5 years for it to get lower, but it was still elevated slightly. I have not gone to doctors regularly since 1998. I have instead gone to naturopaths, homeopaths sporadically, and done my own self care at home using natural healing methods. I have no joint pain, no joint deformities, nothing to indicate that I have rheumatoid arthritis, and no symptoms of disease, so this elevated RF baffles me. I do, however, have an autoimmune disease that has been diagnosed, and that is Hashimoto's thyroid disease, and for that I take Armour thyroid when I remember to. Nobody in my family has Rheumatoid Arthritis. I don't think an elevated RF necessarily indicates that you do, but it may in fact indicate that you have an autoimmune process going on in your body, and it's most likely from the implants. Patty Re: rheumatoid factor hello everyone!I hope everyone is having agood week! Mine is ok sofar- I'm inthe process of consultations for explantand I'm hoping to set the date in the next week ro sohere! I am curious as to how many of you had apositiverheumatoid factor and what the number was and if thatchanged after explantation. I have a positive R.factor of 38 and joint pain, nut I am not yet totallyonvinced that I have RA. Anyone else experience this?Thank you,kris--- S <kasdance (DOT) com> wrote:> hello everyone!> I hope everyone is having agood week! Mine is ok so> far- I'm inthe process of consultations for explant> and I'm hoping to set the date in the next week ro> so> here! I am curious as to how many of you had> apositive> rheumatoid factor and what the number was and if> that> changed after explantation. I have a positive R.> factor of 38 and joint pain, nut I am not yet> totally> onvinced that I have RA. Anyone else experience> this?> Thank you,> kris> --- Rogene S <saxony01 (DOT) com> wrote:> > > ,> > > > En bloc is not always possible. But you want a> > doctor who has the skills and appreciates the> reason> > for doing en bloc removal.> > > > En bloc means removing the capsule with the> implant> > still inside. This prevents any contaminents that> > may be between the implant and the capsule wall> from> > leaking into your chest cavity. > > > > You don't want anything left behind . . . tissue> or> > fluid that may cause further problems. > > > > That said, it's not alway possible to remove the> > implants en bloc - or even to get all the capsule.> > But every effort should be made to do so.> > > > Rogene> > > > >____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _> The fish are biting. > Get more visitors on your site using Search> Marketing.>http://searchmarket ing.. com/arp/sponsore dsearch_v2. php> ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _Don't pick lemons.See all the new 2007 cars at Autos.http://autos. / new_cars. html Need a quick answer? Get one in minutes from people who know. Ask your question on Answers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 25, 2007 Report Share Posted January 25, 2007 Kris: one of my biggest problems is that my results have always been inconclusive. I too had a R. Factor of 38, in my test result the conclusion was a negative result because the reference number is 40. Still I thought that it was a bit high because I was only 32 (3 years ago)at the time and no one in my family suffers from Arthritis or anything like that. I don't have any joint pain or similar symptoms. Other tests that I have taken like ANA, Sjogrens tests, etc. have also come back negative. Still I have a lot of symptoms like hairloss and terrible dry eye. I do have low white blood cell count which is a sign of an autoinmune reaction and I developed iritis back in 2005 (have not had it again) which is also a desease related with rheumatoid deseases so I guess in my case the R. Factor didn't indicate arthritis but maybe it indicated iritis?? Good luck in getting explanted. Zelly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 25, 2007 Report Share Posted January 25, 2007 , I had my explant two weeks ago, all my tests were negative about six months ago. I have a lot of symptoms but at this point I am not convinced that I have anything except a bad reaction to implants! I can say that I am better after having explanted, I had burning in both implants and of course that is gone. It feels wonderful to have nice real breasts again, small and all! And I am still battling fatigue, muscle aches, and so far my best is when I just watch my stress level and not push my body. I am still not normal, I just am in awe of what normal is anymore because I can not keep up like a normal person. But considering I felt like I was going to die of poisoning a few weeks ago I guess I can't complain. From what I understand, most women even with positive testing do get better after explant. My doctor said he had a patient with MS and was " cured " after explant, so she really did not have MS right? I hope you have peace through all of it and that it goes really well. Love Nan > > > > > , > > > > > > En bloc is not always possible. But you want a > > > doctor who has the skills and appreciates the > > reason > > > for doing en bloc removal. > > > > > > En bloc means removing the capsule with the > > implant > > > still inside. This prevents any contaminents that > > > may be between the implant and the capsule wall > > from > > > leaking into your chest cavity. > > > > > > You don't want anything left behind . . . tissue > > or > > > fluid that may cause further problems. > > > > > > That said, it's not alway possible to remove the > > > implants en bloc - or even to get all the capsule. > > > But every effort should be made to do so. > > > > > > Rogene > > > > > > > > > > > _____________________________________________________________________ _______________ > > The fish are biting. > > Get more visitors on your site using Search > > Marketing. > > > http://searchmarketing./arp/sponsoredsearch_v2.php > > > > > > > _____________________________________________________________________ _______________ > Don't pick lemons. > See all the new 2007 cars at Autos. > http://autos./new_cars.html > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 6, 2007 Report Share Posted December 6, 2007 Krista ~ My morning cortisol is borderline low, but in the what they call normal range, my noon one is low, my evening one is very very low, and my night one is very high.....if your blood cortisol in the am is normal, and you have symptoms of adrenal fatigue or insufficiency.......support your adrenals........ if you want to know where you really are with it the saliva cortisols done 4 times ( canary ones) show your binding cortisol, and are more accurate to peoples symptoms. The blood only show what is roaming around in your blood at that particular time of day, but doesnt show how much of it is binding and working.........or what your pattern is throughout the day........ Love Dede Check out AOL Money Finance's list of the hottest products and top money wasters of 2007. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 6, 2007 Report Share Posted December 6, 2007 Krista ~ I had a feeling you did know about that, but I am so out of the loop on the forum here. I have about 740 emails....so, I am way way behind.... If you feel you deal with adrenal fatigue, I would say support them, using vit C and sea salt, I believe there are articles on how to do this in the archives. With implant poisening, our tests are wacky anyway I believe treating symptoms are best anyway. Adrenal fatigue is something you can get from stress, or even surgery. Both of which you have dealt with ! ! I hope you feel better soon ! ! Love DedeCheck out AOL Money Finance's list of the hottest products and top money wasters of 2007. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 6, 2007 Report Share Posted December 6, 2007 Thanks PH! That handy guide that wikipedia has is awesome! Don't you love wikipedia? My gluten tests all came back " normal. " Not sure that means anything, but at least I know I don't have celiac. My doc also ordered a cortisol test for me. She said it's a blood test that I have to do first thing in the am. She said if it comes out " off " at all then we can run some more adrenal testing. However, I made an appointment with a naturopath! Yeah! Next Monday the 17th is the appointment. I'm excited to go see her. Hopefully, this will be the answer for me. Love, Krista > > > > Does anyone know what the normal range is for rheumatoid factor? I was > > just looking over my test results and my RF was 12. It says the normal > > range is below 13. Is that right? > > Thanks! > > ~Krista > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 6, 2007 Report Share Posted December 6, 2007 Hi Dede- Yeah, I was aware that the one cortisol test in the morning wouldn't give the full picture of my cortisol levels, but my doctor said this was at least a good place to start. I'd like to do the canary testing, but I'm already pushing my luck with hubby on him letting me see a naturopath, if I spent $150 on additional testing, I think he might flip his lid. I'm going to have the cortisol tested through my doctor, then see the naturopath next week and see if she thinks I need additional testing. If so, I'll probably go through the endocrinology department with Kaiser and they'll do the more thorough testing. Love, Krista > > Krista ~ > My morning cortisol is borderline low, but in the > what they call normal range, my noon one is low, > my evening one is very very low, and my night one > is very high.....if your blood cortisol in the am is > normal, and you have symptoms of adrenal fatigue > or insufficiency.......support your adrenals........ > if you want to know where you really are with it > the saliva cortisols done 4 times ( canary ones) > show your binding cortisol, and are more accurate > to peoples symptoms. The blood only show what > is roaming around in your blood at that particular > time of day, but doesnt show how much of it is > binding and working.........or what your pattern > is throughout the day........ > Love Dede > > > > > **************************************Check out AOL's list of 2007's hottest > products. > (http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007? NCID=aoltop00030000000001) > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 6, 2007 Report Share Posted December 6, 2007 Krista, A blood test for cortisol in the AM will tell you if you have an issue at that time of day, but it doesn't tell you anything about the rest of the day. I find that so strange that doctors test this way. But I am not a doctor, so what do I know? My testing showed I had normal cortisol levels when I woke up, but by 4 PM, my cortisol was too low. It fit the pattern, because I would crash sometime about midafternoon. My naturopath suggested Isocort in the afternoon, but at that point in time I was still so sick and I was looking for a quick fix...and Isocort wasn't a quick fix! The adrenals take a long time to recover. What kind of gluten tests did you have? Did they test for gluten antibodies? I assume by blood...there is a lab that tests for antibodies actually in the stool, and it is reputed to be much more accurate than a blood test. I did this test and was shocked to find out I am gluten sensitive and not only that, it was genetic! I inherited it from my mother! She didn't know! I hope your naturopath will be able to help you. They can be very costly and the results so slow to manifest...be patient as you heal. God bless! Patty > > > > > > Does anyone know what the normal range is for rheumatoid factor? > I was > > > just looking over my test results and my RF was 12. It says the > normal > > > range is below 13. Is that right? > > > Thanks! > > > ~Krista > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 6, 2007 Report Share Posted December 6, 2007 Hi Patty- I know, this is all so frustrating. I'm just trying to do what I can to figure out if everything is my body is working correctly. I think my doctor just thought that by doing the cortisol blood test, that that might give a good idea if there is a problem. I know she didn't think that by doing the one blood test, that that would give us an exact answer of whether or not I had any adrenal issues. She just said this was a place to start and that I could see an endocrinologist to do more testing if this one is " off. " I still may see an endocrinologist even if the test comes out normal, because I'd like to get the whole picture of my cortisol levels. Here were the tests were run for gluten: ENDOMYSIUM IGA, TITER I was: <3 Says normal range is: <5- u/mL TISSUE TRANSGLUTAMINASE IGA I was: 8 Says normal range is: <=19- unit(s) INTERPRETATION Negative: <20 - TISSUE TRANSGLUTAMINASE IGG I was: 3 Says normal range is: <=19- unit(s) INTERPRETATION Negative: <20 - Do those make sense to you at all? I hope my Naturopath is able to help to. I know I can't spend a ton of money on a bunch of natural remedies that may or may not work, so I need to be really careful. My husband would like to see my go through a regular MD to figure out what is going on and to treat whatever the problem is. So, even being able to see one is pushing it. Let's just hope she is able to help! Love, Krista > > > > > > > > Does anyone know what the normal range is for rheumatoid > factor? > > I was > > > > just looking over my test results and my RF was 12. It says the > > normal > > > > range is below 13. Is that right? > > > > Thanks! > > > > ~Krista > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 6, 2007 Report Share Posted December 6, 2007 Mine has that nasty stuff in it too! It sounds easy doing it in the bathtub so you don't have to carry it around. I hope I get one too. I told my mom if she doesn't want to order it online she can just give me the money for Christmas and I'll order it since I already have an e bay account. In the mean time I'll continue to go once a week to and pay to have one. Steph > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Does anyone know what the normal range is for rheumatoid > > > > factor? > > > > > I was > > > > > > > just looking over my test results and my RF was 12. It > says > > > the > > > > > normal > > > > > > > range is below 13. Is that right? > > > > > > > Thanks! > > > > > > > ~Krista > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 6, 2007 Report Share Posted December 6, 2007 Krista and Steph, Just wanted to warn you about dumping it in the tub. Make sure you are scrubbing the tub afterwards because there are tons of pathogens in there that can reinfect you or your hubby when you bathe or shower...at least that's what the lady who used to give me foot baths said. She was constantly getting parasites because she was rinsing people's feet without using gloves. She started using gloves and no longer has that problem. You can line the bucket with a plastic bag and then pour it out in the toilet if you want to avoid scrubbing the tub and bucket...but, I know Krista, that's extra trash! I need to be a better recycler, like you. Love, Carlin > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Does anyone know what the normal range is for > rheumatoid > > > > > factor? > > > > > > I was > > > > > > > > just looking over my test results and my RF was 12. It > > says > > > > the > > > > > > normal > > > > > > > > range is below 13. Is that right? > > > > > > > > Thanks! > > > > > > > > ~Krista > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 6, 2007 Report Share Posted December 6, 2007 Hey Ph, Thanks for that advice! I toke a detox bath after my massage the other day and did not clean my tub afterwards.....what was I thinking! I have another massage on Saturday so I will be doing that now! Hugs Cherie > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Does anyone know what the normal range is for > > rheumatoid > > > > > > factor? > > > > > > > I was > > > > > > > > > just looking over my test results and my RF was 12. > It > > > says > > > > > the > > > > > > > normal > > > > > > > > > range is below 13. Is that right? > > > > > > > > > Thanks! > > > > > > > > > ~Krista > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 6, 2007 Report Share Posted December 6, 2007 PH/Carlin (now I don't know what to call you on the forum!! Maybe I'll call ya CPH!!!) Anywho- Yeah, I thought about the toxins in the bathtub, but luckily it is a separate garden tub then the shower. So, we're not in it every day, but before I take a bath in there...I'll be sure to give it a good scrub down. AND...I DID line the bucket....heheeheh AND I didn't recycle the bag! I like the toilet idea, but the toilet is in a separate room then the tub! :-) Love, Krista > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Does anyone know what the normal range is for > > rheumatoid > > > > > > factor? > > > > > > > I was > > > > > > > > > just looking over my test results and my RF was 12. > It > > > says > > > > > the > > > > > > > normal > > > > > > > > > range is below 13. Is that right? > > > > > > > > > Thanks! > > > > > > > > > ~Krista > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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