A podcast for RA patients:
Get personal about your RA — with people who get it.
Feel less alone in your RA treatment journey.
Let’s Get Personal is a podcast series for people living with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) who are navigating the challenges of diagnosis, treatment decisions, and ongoing care. In each season, we explore key topics that affect your RA journey — from patient stories and emotional resilience to lab results and treatment innovations. You’ll hear from rheumatologists and RA patients alike, offering both clinical insights and personal perspectives to help you feel more informed, supported, and empowered to partner with your healthcare provider.
This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
SEASON 2
Understanding Rheumatoid Factor (RF)
This new season takes a deep dive into the Rheumatoid Factor (RF) test — a key blood test used in diagnosing and managing RA. Host Shelley Fritz speaks with leading rheumatologists Dr. Ted Mikuls and Dr. Jeff Curtis to explain what your RF levels may indicate, how the test works, and how this information can help guide your treatment decisions. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or looking to better understand your lab results, this season is designed to empower you to take charge of your RA care.
Episodes
Episode 1: Understanding Rheumatoid Factor in RA: Insights from Dr. Ted Mikuls
A Rheumatoid Factor (RF) test is a blood test that can help in diagnosing Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), but what do your RF levels really mean? In this episode, host Shelley Fritz sits down with Dr. Ted Mikuls, a leading rheumatologist at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, to explore the role of RF in RA diagnosis and how it can relate to disease severity. The episode emphasizes patient empowerment through understanding lab results and encourages open communication with healthcare providers.
Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of this important lab test and how it fits into your overall RA management.
Episode 2: Rheumatoid Factor Levels and RA: Understanding the Connection with Dr. Jeff Curtis
A Rheumatoid Factor (RF) test is a key blood test often used in diagnosing and managing Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), but its meaning isn’t always clear. In this special audio guide, host Shelley Fritz speaks with Dr. Jeff Curtis, a leading rheumatologist and epidemiologist at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, to break down what RF is, how it’s tested, and what the results can mean for your RA journey. Dr. Curtis explains how RF levels relate to disease activity, treatment decisions, and the differences between seropositive and seronegative RA.
If you’ve ever had questions about your RF status, this guide will help you better understand the role of this important lab test in your care.
Click on the below for a helpful article and additional resources to better understand what RF can mean for your RA diagnosis and treatment.
SEASON 1
Precision Medicine and Patient Voices
In our first season, we highlight the power of patient experience in RA care. You’ll hear from people living with rheumatoid arthritis about the emotional highs and lows of starting, stopping, and switching treatments — and how they’ve built stronger partnerships with their rheumatologists. We also introduce key concepts in precision and personalized medicine, helping you better understand what it means to find the right treatment for you.
Episodes
Episode 1: Eileen’s Story
Eileen shares how learning to be specific about her physical and mental health needs has helped navigate the RA treatment journey.
Episode 2: Alexis’ Story
Alexis talks about the importance of coming to terms with your diagnosis, doing your own research, and being persistent
in your RA treatment and care.
Episode 3: Shilpa’s Story
Shilpa discusses the many emotions of living with and treating RA — and how having a supportive community and solid relationship with your doctor can help you better cope.
Episode 4: Dr. Wright
Dr. Wright talks to us about the relationship between a rheumatologist and a patient, and how good communication is key to finding the right RA treatment.
Audio Guides
Audio Guide: Understanding Precision & Personalized Medicine for RA
Understanding the difference between precision and personalized medicine is important for the present and future care of rheumatoid arthritis — learn why.
Audio Guide: Understanding Trial and Error in RA
Medication changes are par for the course when managing a chronic condition like rheumatoid arthritis. Here’s why — and how to better cope with the emotional journey of RA treatment.
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More Resources on Rheumatoid Factor
Infographic: Understanding
Rheumatoid Factor (RF) Levels
This visual guide breaks down what RF is, how it’s used in diagnosing and managing rheumatoid arthritis, and what your test results may mean. It also explains the difference between seropositive and seronegative RA and highlights additional tests to get a clearer picture of disease activity.
Shared Decision-Making Tool: Questions to Ask About RF and RA
Use this printable tool to guide your conversations with your rheumatologist. It features key questions to help you understand how your RF levels can influence your treatment plan, what to track over time, and how to navigate changes in your symptoms or test results.
Rheumatoid Factor (RF) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): What Every Patient Needs to Know
This patient-friendly article explains what Rheumatoid Factor (RF) is, how it’s used in diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis, and what RF levels may tell you about your condition. Perfect for anyone looking to better understand their lab results and have more informed conversations with their doctor.
More Resources on Precision Medicine
Infographic: What Do Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Know About Precision Medicine, Flares, and Remission?
A new CreakyJoints survey sheds some light on this topic.
What Precision Medicine Might Mean for Your Rheumatoid Arthritis Journey
Learn about new advances that could help provide hope for pinpointing the right RA treatment — without the drawn-out trial and error.
Personalizing Your Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment: 5 Questions to Ask Your Doctor
Knowing what to discuss with your rheumatologist when deciding on a treatment for RA can help you work together to get to the right medication faster.
