I know you addressed this to Mrs. D, but I can tell you that my first (and only other) Rh test was negative. I might be able to find the link later, but it said that with autoimmune disorders, many times they will test negative until the disease progresses past a certain point. Also, many people only test during an active flare.

Of course, close to a quarter of all people with ra don't ever test positive. I know some doctors will treat the symptoms, and consider you as having it.