CCP Antibody Test

This test looks for CCP (cyclic citrullinated peptide) antibodies in your blood. CCP antibodies, also called anti-CCP antibodies, are a type of antibody called autoantibodies. Antibodies and autoantibodies are proteins made by the immune system: Antibodies protect you from disease by fighting foreign substances like viruses and bacteria.; Autoantibodies like CCP antibodies are abnormal proteins.

Instead of protecting your body, they attack your body's healthy cells by mistake.; CCP antibodies target healthy tissues in the joints. Joints are places in your body where two bones meet, such as your elbows, wrists, and knees. If CCP antibodies are found in your blood, it can be a sign of rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that gets worse over time. It causes pain, swelling, stiffness, and a loss of function in your joints. CCP antibodies are found in most people who have rheumatoid arthritis.

They are almost never found in people who don't have the disease.

Why this test is done

You may need this test if you have symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. These include:

• Joint pain
• Joint stiffness, especially in the morning
• Joint swelling
• Fatigue
• Low-grade fever

You may also need this test if other tests couldn't confirm or rule out a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.

How to prepare

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.

Sample type

Blood

Other names for this test

Cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody, anticitrullinated peptide antibody, citrulline antibody, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide, anti-CCP antibody, ACPA