I think it's ridiculous for anyone with RA to be reduced to numbers on a blood test. Cause of this illness has not been established. Treatment is a mix and match experiment for each of us, still, we have other issues and additional immune disorders that arise from RA.

As far as the blood test itself...it has false positives and negatives and isn't even reliable. So how can it be used as an effective determinate?

The last 20 yrs or so these therapies have cropped up have just been 'tests' and we give the feedback. We have the side effects and report other side effects that haven't been acknowledged yet.

I read that xrays are used to show the damages RA causes. Why do ppl have to wait for damages to show up if they can be prevented by starting progressive therapy?
It's like having Hep C that you can't afford the therapy, but have to wait for stage 2 fibrosis before you can qualify for the expensive cure. Insurance! I don't have Hep C but I know a few that do.

If you have joint pain and swelling, low grade fevers, fatigue, brain fog, depression, it's possible you have RA though your body fights it differently and your blood doesn't test as expected. Who set the standard and who gets to decide to change those numbers based on a smaller population of individuals? Are those individuals rated severe RA? Are we being graded on the top 2% like Iowas skills tests in education?

I say the test is inconclusive and corrupt. If I respond well to steroids, then I have inflammation. If all my finger joints are swollen and I can't touch my palms or make a fist, it's inflammation. If I can't get my shoes on and my socks embed marks on my feet, it's inflammation if I'm not overweight.
Yet that test says my levels are normal? Weird.

I'm here in Ontario and haven't noticed any change like this for being positive for RA. The diagnosis for RA should include more than just bloodwork numbers. It's only one part of a thorough diagnosis.