ANTI CCP ANTIBODY TEST

A CCP antibody test is used to help diagnose or rule out rheumatoid arthritis. It's often done along with or after a rheumatoid factor (RF) test. Rheumatoid factors are another type of autoantibody. RF tests used to be the main test to help diagnose rheumatoid arthritis. The immune system is responsible for defending the body against attacks from foreign cells and organisms: bacteria, viruses, parasites and transplanted cells. Often, the immune system goes awry and confuses some of its own tissues as foreign. The production of antibodies against its own tissues is the cause of a large number of “autoimmune” diseases. Several types of arthritis, lupus, pernicious anemia, juvenile diabetes and some thyroid disorders are autoimmune in origin. The immune system’s production of antibodies against its own cyclic citrullinated peptides is the cause of rheumatoid arthritis.