CCP Antibody Test
Reviewed
Also called: Cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody, Anti-CCP antibody, Anticitrullinated peptide antibody, Citrulline antibody, Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide, ACPA
This test looks for CCP (cyclic citrullinated peptide) antibodies in your blood.
Specimen: Blood
Why this test may be ordered
- To help diagnose or rule out rheumatoid arthritis
- If you have symptoms such as joint pain, stiffness, swelling, fatigue, or low-grade fever
- When other tests could not confirm or rule out rheumatoid arthritis
Preparation and collection
Be sure to tell your provider about all medicines, vitamins, and dietary supplements you are taking. You may need to stop taking certain substances for 8 hours before your test.
A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. This usually takes less than five minutes.
There is very little risk to having a blood test. You may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.
Understanding results
If your CCP antibody results were positive, it means these antibodies were found in your blood. A negative result means no CCP antibodies were found. The meaning of these results may depend on the results of a rheumatoid factor (RF) test as well as a physical exam.
- Positive CCP antibodies and positive RF: Positive CCP antibodies and positive RF, it means that you probably have rheumatoid arthritis. Limitation: Sometimes, CCP antibodies may be found in other conditions such as: Other autoimmune disorders such as Sjogren's syndrome or lupus, Active tuberculosis (TB), Chronic lung disease. Next step: Your provider may order one or more tests in addition to CCP antibody and RF tests.
- Positive CCP antibodies and negative RF: Positive CCP antibodies and negative RF, it could mean you are in the early stages of rheumatoid arthritis or will develop it in the future. Limitation: Rheumatoid arthritis can be difficult to diagnose, especially in its early stages. Next step: Your provider may order one or more tests in addition to CCP antibody and RF tests.
- Negative CCP antibodies and negative RF: Negative CCP antibodies and negative RF, it means you are less likely to have rheumatoid arthritis. Limitation: Rheumatoid arthritis can be difficult to diagnose, especially in its early stages. Next step: Your provider may need to do more tests to help find out what is causing your symptoms.
- CCP antibodies are found in most people with rheumatoid arthritis but are almost never found in people without the disease.
- Sometimes CCP antibodies may be found in other conditions such as other autoimmune disorders (e.g., Sjogren's syndrome or lupus), active tuberculosis, or chronic lung disease.
- Rheumatoid arthritis can be difficult to diagnose, especially in its early stages.
- Results must be interpreted by your provider along with your symptoms, medical history, physical exam, and other test results.
What to do next
To understand the results of a CCP antibody test, your provider will consider your symptoms, medical history, physical exam, and the results of other tests.
- What do my CCP antibody test results mean in combination with my symptoms and other tests?
- Do I need any additional tests to confirm or rule out rheumatoid arthritis?
- What are the next steps if my results suggest rheumatoid arthritis?
- How will my symptoms be managed while we wait for more information?
- Are there any lifestyle changes or treatments I should consider?
Evidence source
Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus). Practices and reference ranges may differ in your country.