What is CCP Antibody Test? Everything You Need To Know

Arthritis is a common health concern found in middle and old-age people. One such attack is Rheumatoid Arthritis, an autoimmune condition that leads to inflamed joints.

This condition happens when the immune system damages the healthy cells. As a result, you feel inflammation (swelling) in your joints. This inflammation causes joint pain. You'll feel the pain in various joints of your body at once. But how do you know if you have rheumatoid arthritis?

You can know the results by conducting a CCP antibody test. What is an anti-CCP test? Keep reading and learn everything about the antibody test.

What is a CCP antibody test?

The anti-CCP test helps determine if you have rheumatoid arthritis. It also helps differentiate amongst many kinds of arthritis.

CCPs are also known as cyclic citrullinated peptides. These emerge from the protein changes in the body. Protein is the building block for various crucial cellular functions. As the protein maturates, there is a decrease in the human body's immune system.

A healthy immune system protects your body from various bacterial attacks. These bacteria are viruses and transplanted cells. When your immune system confuses your healthy cells to foreign bacteria, it kills them.

This process leads to all types of diseases. The various diseases are arthritis, pernicious anemia, type 2 diabetes and thyroid issues.

Finally, when the body produces antibodies to fight against its healthy cells, it is known as rheumatoid arthritis. The other reasons for arthritis or autoimmune diseases are gout, fractures, infections and aging.

An anti-CCP test helps conclude the presence or absence of rheumatoid arthritis. It is the only way to find out more about the presence of disease and carry further treatment.

What is it used for?

An anti-CCP antibody test is conducted to diagnose the presence of rheumatoid arthritis. An RF test is conducted along with the CCP testing. However, remember that RF factor is detected in other autoimmune diseases and healthy bodies.

Therefore, it is recommended that you take the anti-CCP antibody test instead of relying on RF testing. An anti-CCP test is the best way to find out more about rheumatoid arthritis seriousness.

Consider rheumatoid arthritis as a serious disease and get the required treatment quickly. Prolonged disease can cause bone erosion and joint deformity. There are various medications and physiotherapy exercises to cure the disease painlessly.

Why do I need a CCP antibody test?

Getting an Anti-CCP antibody test is crucial today due to our sedentary lifestyle. It also increases our weight and leads to various bone-related diseases. This bone pain and swelling leads to various kinds of arthritis. The sole type is rheumatoid arthritis.

When other tests fail to give the best results, the anti-CCP test comes into the picture. Therefore, healthcare providers ask patients to get the test done. In 2023, more people are at risk of suffering from arthritis. Hence, even healthy people must get their anti-CCP test done.

Your doctor will recommend an anti-CCP antibody test when you have the following symptoms:

- If you're suffering from continuous joint pain

- There is a condition of stiff joints in the mornings

- Swelling and redness around joints

- Chronic fatigue conditions

- Sometimes suffer from fever

- Pain at random times of the day.

- Chronic pain coming in the way of day-to-day activities

An increase in your weight can also be a valid reason behind continuous knee pains. 

What happens during a CCP antibody test?

You must visit your nearest pathologist or call a professional doctor at home. The professional will drag a sample of your blood. With the help of a small needle, the blood is drawn from the arm area.

During the entire process, you might feel a slight stinging sensation followed by numbness in the area. However, it would be best not to worry as this lasts a few minutes.

The whole process is done to conduct the anti-CCP antibody test. 

What is an anti-CCP?

It is an auto-antibody. Antibodies are the proteins your body creates to fight infection. However, anti-CCP disrupts your autoimmune system. Hence, your body attacks the healthy cells. If your results are positive, you have rheumatoid arthritis.

The best part is that you don't need to fast before the anti-CCP antibody test. There are also no requirements to be fulfilled before taking the test. However, remember to communicate with the professional about the medications you consume every day. The physician might ask you to stop taking medications eight hours before the anti-CCP blood test.

Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test?

The only thing to do is talk to your healthcare provider. Let them know your medical history, the doctors you visited before and the prescribed medications you're consuming. It is crucial to avoid all kinds of medication before the test.

Besides, you don't have to do anything different before taking the anti-CCP blood test. Unlike diabetes testing, you can eat and drink all kinds of food and beverages before the test. Talk to your healthcare professional without fail.

You'll undoubtedly get an accurate result with CCP antibody testing. If your joint pain has increased drastically, you must visit a healthcare professional immediately. 

Are there any risks to the CCP antibody test?

There is no risk in taking the anti-CCP blood test. The after-effects are slight pain in the arm and numbness for a few minutes. These symptoms also vanish in no time.

What do the results mean?

As you know, a small blood sample is drawn, and you must not take any medications. Here's everything your test results mean. Your test results depend on both the CCP test and the RF test.

- Positive RF and anti-CCP test positive mean you have rheumatoid arthritis.

- Negative RF and positive antibody test mean rheumatoid arthritis in the primary stage. It is easily curable.

- Both negative RF and antibody tests mean the chances of rheumatoid arthritis are remote.

However, if you still have symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, consult the healthcare professional and get the required diagnosis.

High anti-CCP and cancer go hand in hand. If your CCP results are exceptionally high, you should also get your cancer test done.

Get a joint X-ray, fluid analysis, and antinuclear antibody and C-reactive protein test done according to your doctor's advice.

- Less than 20 EU/ml indicates Anti-CCP test normal range 

- Between 20-39 EU/ml shows weakly positive range

- Between 40-59 EU/ml, it shows moderately positive range

- 60+ EU/ml indicates a strongly positive range.

 Is there anything else I need to know about a CCP antibody test?

Want to know about diseases with positive anti-CCP? 

With a 40-60 EU/ml range, you're more likely to suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. Hence, getting the best treatment as soon as possible is crucial. You must get your treatment in less than six months of the diagnosis. There are many ways of getting an anti-CCP test-positive treatment done in India.

If your anti-CCP test is positive, your healthcare will most likely put you on an aggressive treatment mode. The doctor may prescribe you medications, such as disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. These medications include methotrexate, etanercept and infliximab.

Medications are highly beneficial in treating and preventing joint damage. Also, these are effective in decreasing the anti-CCP levels. However, please consult your doctor or a professional before blindly consuming these medications.

Remember, if not treated on time, rheumatoid arthritis can last all your life. Hence, get your CCP testing and rheumatoid arthritis treatment from a renowned doctor. The best healthcare professional will help revive your joints as soon as possible. And you'll lead a healthy and active life once again.

Conclusion

Now that you know everything about rheumatoid arthritis and CCP antibody testing, you must know the best place to do this testing. Metropolis Lab is the best for all kinds of blood tests. They also conduct urine and stool testing to go in-depth about the presence of a disease.

The benefit of Metropolis is they give you the final reports in less than 24 hours. Moreover, they have the best physicians and professionals to diagnose chronic diseases. You can also find the lab near you in just one click.

It is a leading diagnostic company and centers in various countries. These countries are South Asia, the Middle East and Africa. It does play a vital role in predicting, detecting and confirming various diseases.

If you want to get your testing done, reach out to your nearest Metropolis Lab and deposit your blood sample in no time