Is elevated RA factor common with Lyme

carriew

New Member

Joined : Apr 2015

Posts : 8

Posted 8/8/2016 3:48 PM (GMT 0)

I was wondering if anyone else has an elevated RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis) with their lyme disease.

Mine was elevated a few years ago and the doctor said not to worry because even in some healthy people it is elevated. I was tested again in March and it's still elevated but not too much. It is 14.2 and the range is 0-13.9. Anyway, I do off and on have joint pain (I'm having it now).

I read that although some healthy people do have an elevated RA, it's a very small number and I'm kindof wondering if this is just related to lyme disease.

Thank you.

Traveler

Elite Member

Joined : May 2007

Posts : 36573

Posted 8/8/2016 4:16 PM (GMT 0)

Yes, there are actually quite a few Lyme patients with elevated RA tests, this is due to the inflammatory nature of Lyme bacteria.

sebreg

Veteran Member

Joined : Jun 2015

Posts : 1925

Posted 8/8/2016 4:55 PM (GMT 0)

Yup, mine was elevated too! as I've continued treating it has fallen back into normal range. My guess is that lyme/coinfections were the primary driver in my elevated RA factor.

bdavis

Regular Member

Joined : May 2016

Posts : 180

Posted 8/8/2016 5:34 PM (GMT 0)

Yes, my RF elevated, with accompanying elevated anti-CCP antibodies.

Rheumatologist said I had RA. Others tests confirmed I had Lyme and mycoplasma, and I believe these infections were driving up the blood markers for RA, not autoimmunity.

Still not better, but having lessening intensity of pain/inflammation/redness of joints and tendons by treating these 2 infections. Breaking my finger recently has made the flare ups more intense and brought out some latent viral infections, but hopefully once I heal I can continue to make progress again.

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