Can a positive CCP & RF be present in disorders other than RA?

Norms for RA factor is anything at or below 15, so clearly this is a raised result for you.  CCP is normal if 30 and below for those over 50.  But then there are doctors who just don't want to give a definitive diagnosis for whatever reason.  I am hearing of that situation in areas that have gov't healthcare.

Hi,

But what about 'the window of opportunity' you read about? That makes it sound like as soon as you test positive for Anti CCP, you should start medication. My doctor pretty much showed me a list of drugs and said pick one. I too have very mild (majority of the time non-existent) symptoms, but tested positive for RF & Anti CCP. Inflammation markers are normal. I am 50. I received diagnosis in early 2014.

Regards,

Amy

GOt sed rate norms mixed up with c reactive protein.  WHat I said above applies to sed rate.  C-reactive P is Low risk, if you have a CRP level of less than 1.0 milligram per liter (mg/L).

Average risk. You have a CRP level between 1.0 and 3.0 mg/L.

High risk. You have a CRP level greater than 3.0 mg/L.

Hi Onslow315,

I read your response and wanted to reach out. I'm 43 and was just diagnosed with both a positive CCP and FR factor. I have minimal symptoms. 

I have no inflammatory markers yet or joint damage. Starting methotrexate... Terrified!! I'm hoping to keep it at bay since its early.

EileenH, Thank you for your input,..

I had a wide range of bloodwork done by my PCP after having chronic fatigue, pain and migraines for over a year (listed below on another response).. from the abnormal bloodwork results (CCP & RF) I was referred to a rheumatologist.

The RF was just above the normal mark for me.. I had (15 units) the lab stated:

"The "normal" range for rheumatoid factor is less than 14 IU/ml. Any result with values 14 IU/ml or above is considered abnormally high, elevated, or positive."

My CCP was 52 (positive) and the range on the lab was states as:

<20.0 U (negative)

20.0-39.9 U (weak positive)

40.0-59.9 U (positive)

> or =60.0 U (strong positive)

i think you have to be patient and wait for that rheumy appointment - he's collecting evidence and ruling things out - all part of an overall picture that is important in deciding what particular autoimmune disorder you have as that sounds the most likely area. It is a very difficult field - even for experts.

Hi Emily1234, I have minor swelling in my hands, feet and in my TMJ jaw joint.

I have a longg list of chronic complaints..

-Severe Daily Migraines – 5 or more days a week (since summer 2015) upon waking: dull all over pressure/tension headache, pain usually worsens as the day progresses. Pain is worse at the base of skull where neck meets & also forehead/temple/behind eyes.  Pain is pounding in nature which worsens with the headache; Exercise/movement/getting up worsens the pounding/throbbing factor.

-Joint & Muscle pain – tender, sore, achy, stiff:  Face/Jaw, Head/Neck, Shoulders/Back, wrists/hands, ankles/feet

-TMJD, jaw/facial pain, bruxism (in sleep), sleeping issues/unrefreshed sleep, frequent tinnitus

 -Constant Severe eye pain, pressure behind eyes, pain when moving eyes, extreme light sensitivity, blurry vision, seeing black/grey spots, Eye issues exist even when H/A does not

-Existing worsened Tremor - Hands

-Pins and Needles/Tingling in hands, occasional painful burning sensation in finger tips, ice cold hands and feet to the touch, Raynaud’s Syndrome

-Pain/Cramping/Weakness in hands after writing, weeding garden, molding clay, using scissors, issues can last for days after

-Constant Fatigue (even upon waking) that worsens as day progresses, lightheaded, occasionally dizzy upon standing or waking in morning

 -Memory loss/foggy minded, confusion/stumbling over words or struggling to find words

 -Visible Muscle twitches (feet/legs), tightness in calf muscle, occasional painful “charley horses” in calves & feet (mostly at night)

-Balance and Coordination issues – feeling unsteady on feet/tripping over own feet, feet “give out”, (falling in shower & down stairs) weakness in hands after repetitive motions, dropping items/items slipping out of hand, lack of grip strength/lack of strength to squeeze bottles (ex. Shampoo, child safe medicine caps), struggling with putting on jewelry (ex. necklace clasps & earrings) pre-existing tremor worsens all the above hand issues

i am so sorry to hear all of this....was the doctor not at all useful in giving some sort of insight. you have a lot of evidence there. Are you on any meds

Emily1234, out of curiousity do you also have abnormal CCP and RF but undiagnosed? The doctor didnt give me much insight but did give me meds to help cope in the meantime.. I'm currently in limbo between my neurologist and rheumotologist because my rheumotologist wanted me to follow up with my neuro and get an MRI to rule out many of the symptoms i am having because they are neurological symptoms. MRI came back normal except for apparently I have chronic sinusitis and inflammation (which i had no idea but think it relates to my chronic inflammed TMJ issue) but still gave no answers so im heading back to the rhuemotologist begining of November. Im on gabapentin at night to help my sleeping issues, restless legs and tmj pain issues. recently was put on prednisone taper (6 days to try and break a migraine cycle) by my neuro and it was the first time i went with out a migraine and debilitating pain for a few days. My migraines and pain came right back once the pred was stopped.

Chiropractic & physical therapy have done the most to help me.. but dont appear to be helping out long term.. I'm trying acupuncture tomorrow and looking forward to anything that helps my pain while i wait for the doctor merry-go-round.

Let me know how acupuncture works

Hi yes my CCP was only 23 literally toppled over the edge but negative for RF my mother has RA so don't know if it's in my genes! I just have sore joints and swollen knees but I do have tingling in my arms my rheamy said I am probable for RA but it could settle down due to low titre, did they do a full blood count for you? How are your CRP and ESR inflammation markers are they abnormal? They are key to inflammation in blood x

Low risk. You have a CRP level of less than 1.0 milligram per liter (mg/L).

Average risk. You have a CRP level between 1.0 and 3.0 mg/L.

High risk. You have a CRP level greater than 3.0 mg/L.

Hi,

So are you saying higher CRP level means higher RA activity?

Thanks,

Amy

That is what my rheamy told me, apparently when you! find the right medication your CRP level should be less than 1 too. However i do know people that at diagnosis there CRPs were always normal but i do think most people especially with positive CCP or RF will show an elevated result

Not necessarily - if you have a diagnosis of RA possibly, but CRP can be raised in a wide variety of illnesses, not just in RA.

Hey ilovemypit, wanted to let you know I have been doing acupuncture for 5 weeks now in place of physical therapy and I will certainly be continuing. Each hour session the needles are placed according to how my pain is that week. I have seen a slight decline in pain and i am sleeping much better. I would recommend anyone to try it.. and i must admit im terrified of needles but have seen an improvement so i will continue my treatment in place of physical therapy.