Test Name
RHEUMATOID FACTOR
Aliases
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS FACTOR, RA LATEX, RF TITER
Abbreviations
RF
Test Classification
INDIVIDUAL
Department
SEROLOGY
Sub Department
AUTOIMMUNITY
TAT Category
BUSINESS (WORKING) TIME
Estimated TAT
2
TAT Units
HOURS
Test Requirements
Serum in plain tube (red top) or SST tube (yellow top) or in a separation vial. Centrifuge tubes within 1 hour. Separate centrifuged serum in plain tubes within 1 hour.
SHIPPING/ TRANSPORTATION REQUIREMENTS
Shipping Temperature: Refrigerated
ANALYTE STABILITY
Room Temperature: 1 DAY at 20-25°C │ Refrigerated: 8 DAYS at 2-8°C │ Frozen: 3 MONTH at -20°C
Clinical Utility
Evaluate rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as one component of a multi-criteria diagnostic process that co-opts clinical & other lab criteria (refer to current ACR/ EULAR criteria for diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis). It is less specific for RA than anti-CCP.
Last Review
26th Feb 2026