Elevated RF Levels: Implications for Autoimmune Disorders - Internal Medicine

Rheumatoid factor (RF) is elevated in rheumatoid arthritis?

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Hello Doctor, I have had an allergic constitution since childhood and have been receiving treatment in the rheumatology and immunology department for long-term issues related to my nose and urticaria.
During my last visit at the end of last year, I reported to my physician that I experienced adverse side effects after receiving the second dose of the vaccine.
The doctor recommended a blood test, and during my follow-up visit last month, it was found that my RF factor was 120 (noted as RA on the lab report), but other tests for differentiating types of arthritis and lupus were normal.
My kidney function was slightly below the standard, and the doctor suggested continuing to monitor it for three months, prescribing only allergy medication.
There was also a suspicion of fibromyalgia, but at the suggestion of my family, I went to another hospital for further examination.
The doctor there noted that I appeared normal but still arranged for relevant blood tests.
The report showed: IgAnti-HCV Ab Negative, HCT 36.0, MCH 21.2, MCHC 29.2, MCV 72.6, PLT 301, PS -, RBC 4.96, RDW-CV 18.8, WBC 5.72, Aty.Lym.
0.0, Band 0.0, Baso.
1.0, Blast 0.0, Eos.
5.9, Lym.
33.7, Meta 0.0, Mono.
7.9, Myelo.
0.0, Normobl.
0.0, PS XN, PlasmaCell 0.0, Promyl.
0.0, Seg 51.5, D-dimer 0.5, CRE 0.9, eGFR 70.4, ALT 27, ALB 4.8, E.P.
Albumin 55.6, E.P.
Alpha 1 3.0, E.P.
Alpha 2 8.1, E.P.
Beta 1 6.1, E.P.
Beta 2 4.3, E.P.
Gamma 22.9, RA Factor 79.89, hsCRP 0.04, IgG 1924.39, IgA 225.25, C3 Quantitation 105.48, Anti-ds DNA 23.64.
The doctor indicated that there is inflammation in my body, but liver and kidney functions are currently normal.
He recommended starting quinine to prevent organ damage and suggested another blood test in a month, with the possibility of reducing or stopping the medication if there is improvement.
When I inquired about fibromyalgia, the doctor provided a scoring assessment indicating that I do have fibromyalgia (self-assessment).
He mentioned that this issue can only be managed with pain medication, but I expressed my reluctance to take painkillers.

Here are some of my usual physical symptoms for the doctor’s reference:
1.
My older sister experienced autoimmune attacks on her bile during menopause (5 years ago), and my immunologist had conducted blood tests at that time which were normal.
2.
I believe my chronic back pain is a result of my previous job as a flight attendant and a severe fall at home; the pain is primarily in my back, with discomfort in my elbow joints and neck.
3.
Last year, I sought medical attention for numbness in my left foot, and a rehabilitation doctor diagnosed me with scoliosis, but an orthopedic specialist believed it was a result from childhood and recommended exercise for improvement.
However, I had to stop exercising due to the pandemic, although I found that exercise did alleviate the pain.
4.
Since February, I have been experiencing stiffness in my neck, with discomfort when turning left or right, often waking up in pain, which improves after changing positions.
My questions are: If I can improve my bodily pain through exercise or endure it, should I really start taking quinine to prevent my organs or joints from being attacked based on my test results? Or would you recommend that I seek further evaluation at another hospital? Thank you for your response, Doctor.

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Jiang Xiaohua, 50~59 year old female. Ask Date: 2022/03/22