Sjögren’s syndrome is a chronic (long-lasting) disorder that happens when the immune system attacks the glands that make moisture in the eyes, mouth, and other parts of the body. The most common symptoms are dry eyes and dry mouth. While there is no cure, there are several ways to treat and relieve the symptoms. Learn how.
Characteristic sicca or "dryness" appears at multiple locations like the tongue, face or eyes (keratoconjunctivitis)
Image by Scientific Animations, Inc.
About
Characteristic sicca or "dryness" appears at multiple locations like the tongue, face or eyes (keratoconjunctivitis)
Image by Scientific Animations, Inc.
Characteristic sicca or "dryness" appears at multiple locations like the tongue, face or eyes (keratoconjunctivitis)
Signs and symptoms of Sjögren syndrome or "dryness"
Image by Scientific Animations, Inc.
Sjögren's Syndrome
Sjogren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease. This means that your immune system attacks parts of your own body by mistake. In Sjogren's syndrome, it attacks the glands that make tears and saliva. This causes a dry mouth and dry eyes. You may have dryness in other places that need moisture, such as your nose, throat, and skin. Sjogren's can also affect other parts of the body, including your joints, lungs, kidneys, blood vessels, digestive organs, and nerves.
Most people with Sjogren's syndrome are women. It usually starts after age 40. It is sometimes linked to other diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
To make a diagnosis, doctors may use a medical history, physical exam, certain eye and mouth tests, blood tests, and biopsies.
Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms. It can differ for each person; it depends on what parts of the body are affected. It may include artificial tears for dye eyes and sucking on sugar-free candy or drinking water often for a dry mouth. Medicines may help with severe symptoms.
Source: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Additional Materials (22)
Episode 5 - Tips For Living with Sjögren's
Video by Sjögrens Foundation/YouTube
Sjogren's: A Place to Begin - Part 1: What is Sjogren's Syndrome?
Video by SjogrensFnd/YouTube
Sjogren's: A Place to Begin - Part 2: Management & Treatment of Sjogren's
Video by SjogrensFnd/YouTube
Sjögren's Syndrome - Explained in UNDER 5 Minutes!
Video by 5MinuteSchool/YouTube
Sjögren's syndrome
Video by Dr. Andras Fazakas/YouTube
Sjögren’s Syndrome in Relation to Central Nervous System Disorders
Video by Johns Hopkins Rheumatology/YouTube
Sjogren's: A Place to Begin - Part 3: Personal Experience: Estrella
Video by SjogrensFnd/YouTube
Sjogren's: A Place to Begin - Part 4: Personal Experience: Cathy
Video by SjogrensFnd/YouTube
Sjogren's: A Place to Begin - Part 5: Personal Experience: Nancy
Sialogram in a patient suspected of Sjogren's syndrome. Salivary glands revealed.
Image by Hellerhoff
What Is Sjogren Syndrome?
Sjögren syndrome is an autoimmune disorder in which immune cells attack and destroy the glands that produce tears and saliva. Sjögren syndrome is also associated with rheumatic disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus. The hallmark symptoms of Sjögren syndrome are dry mouth and dry eyes. In addition, Sjogren syndrome may cause skin, nose, and vaginal dryness. It also may affect other organs of the body including the kidneys, blood vessels, lungs, liver, pancreas, and brain. Treatment focuses on the symptoms in each person and may include moisture replacement therapies, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and, in severe cases, corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs.
Source: Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
What You Need To Know
Rheumatoid Arthritis, Sjögren Syndrome
Image by TheVisualMD
Rheumatoid Arthritis, Sjögren Syndrome
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation, pain, stiffness, and deterioration of the joints, especially in hands and wrists, but also in shoulders, neck, hips, knees, and feet. A related disorder is Sjögren syndrome, in which the immune system attacks the body's tear and salivary glands, which in turn results in dry mouth and dry eyes, known as Sicca syndrome (90% of those affected are women, usually older than age 40).
Image by TheVisualMD
Sjögren’s Syndrome: What You Need to Know
Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease that often damages the glands that make tears and saliva, or spit. It can cause dryness, especially in the eyes and mouth.
Researchers believe that Sjögren's syndrome is caused by both genetic and environmental factors. Several genes have been linked to Sjögren's syndrome, and some scientists think that an abnormal immune response to an infection—such as from a virus or bacteria—might trigger the disease.
Two types
There are two types of Sjögren's syndrome: primary and secondary. For both, the two most common symptoms are dry eyes and dry mouth. Other parts of the body—including joints, blood vessels, and nerves—may be affected too.
The primary form of Sjögren's syndrome occurs by itself, without the presence of other autoimmune diseases. Secondary Sjögren's syndrome happens in combination with other autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma, or polymyositis.
Who has it?
You are more likely to have Sjögren's syndrome if you are over 40 years old. Women are also nine times more likely to have it than men.
How is it diagnosed?
Because the symptoms are similar to those of other diseases and can vary from person to person, getting a diagnosis may take time.
In addition to your primary care physician, a number of specialists may help diagnose and treat you. They will check for the physical signs of Sjögren's syndrome and for signs of other, related diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. Doctors may require eye and mouth tests, blood tests, and urine tests.
How is it treated?
There is no cure for Sjögren's syndrome. Most people with Sjögren's syndrome live healthy lives with few medical complications.
Treatment will depend on your symptoms and could include lifestyle changes, over-the-counter (OTC) products, and prescription medications. Work with your health care providers to find the best treatment plan for you.
For symptoms like dry eyes or dry mouth, doctors may recommend OTC products and medications to stimulate saliva and protect the teeth; eye drops or ointments to replace tears and reduce inflammation; or possibly steroids to reduce inflammation throughout the body. Medications to increase saliva flow and those that suppress the immune system and reduce pain are also commonly prescribed.
Good health habits, including eating a balanced diet, drinking enough water, and having a consistent exercise routine can also make Sjögren's syndrome easier to manage.
Source: NIH MedlinePlus Magazine
Types
Secondary Raynaud's in Sjögren's syndrome
Image by Intermedichbo
Secondary Raynaud's in Sjögren's syndrome
Image by Intermedichbo
Types of Sjögren’s Syndrome
Doctors divide Sjögren’s syndrome into two categories:
Primary form. You have this form if you do not have another rheumatic disease.
Secondary form. You have this form if you also have another rheumatic disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, or polymyositis.
Source: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Additional Materials (1)
Sjogren's syndrome
Video by Osmosis/YouTube
6:38
Sjogren's syndrome
Osmosis/YouTube
Who Gets
Edema Parotoid swelling gland in Sjögren's syndrome
Image by Intermedichbo/Template:Dimic Milorad MD
Edema Parotoid swelling gland in Sjögren's syndrome
Image by Intermedichbo/Template:Dimic Milorad MD
Who Gets Sjögren’s Syndrome?
Most people with Sjögren’s syndrome are women. You can get it at any age, but it is most common in people in their 40s and 50s. It occurs across all racial and ethnic backgrounds.
Source: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Sjogren's: A Place to Begin - Part 1: What is Sjogren's Syndrome?
SjogrensFnd/YouTube
Causes
Immune System Defenses
Image by Bru-nO/Pixabay
Immune System Defenses
Image by Bru-nO/Pixabay
What Causes Sjögren’s Syndrome?
Sjögren’s syndrome is an autoimmune disorder that happens when the immune system attacks healthy tissues. Normally, the immune system protects the body from infection and disease.
Researchers do not know what causes the immune system to turn on the body, but they believe that both genetic and environmental factors are involved. Studies have linked Sjögren’s syndrome to variants (changes) in several genes, many of which are involved in immunity.
In Sjögren’s syndrome, the immune system attacks the glands that make tears and saliva. The resulting inflammation damages the glands, limiting their production of the fluids that normally keep the eyes and mouth moist. In some cases, the immune system attacks additional parts of the body, damaging other organs and tissues and causing a range of other symptoms.
Source: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Additional Materials (6)
In Defense of You: Your Immune System
Image by TheVisualMD
Autoimmunity - Inflammation scale
Diagram of immune system activation. Too little leaves us vulnerable to infectious disease, too much leads to autoimmunity. The immune system must find the right balance to keep us protected without causing harm.
Image by Kevbonham
Sjogren's: A Place to Begin - Part 4: Personal Experience: Cathy
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Inheritance
Genetic / Inheritance
Image by TheVisualMD
Genetic / Inheritance
Genetic / Inheritance
Image by TheVisualMD
Is Sjogren Syndrome Inherited?
A genetic predisposition to Sjogren syndrome has been suggested, but the condition itself does not appear to be inherited. This means that a person might inherit an increased risk to develop the condition. Familial clustering of different autoimmune diseases, as well as co-association of multiple autoimmune diseases in individuals, have frequently been reported. Some studies have shown that up to 30% of people with Sjogren syndrome have relatives with autoimmune diseases. While the relatives of people with Sjogren syndrome are at an increased risk of developing autoimmune diseases in general, they are not necessarily more likely to develop Sjogren syndrome.
Source: Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
Additional Materials (1)
Sjögren's Syndrome - Explained in UNDER 5 Minutes!
Video by 5MinuteSchool/YouTube
4:25
Sjögren's Syndrome - Explained in UNDER 5 Minutes!
5MinuteSchool/YouTube
Symptoms
New Genetic Susceptibility Factors for Sjogren's Syndrome Revealed
Image by Sjogren's Syndrome Foundation
New Genetic Susceptibility Factors for Sjogren's Syndrome Revealed
The most common symptoms of Sjögren's syndrome are dry eyes and mouth, but the disease can affect other tissues and organs as well.
Image by Sjogren's Syndrome Foundation
Symptoms of Sjogren's Syndrome
Sjögren’s syndrome may have different effects on the body, and the symptoms vary from person to person. In some people, symptoms cycle between mild and severe.
The classic symptoms are:
Dry eyes. Your eyes may burn or itch or feel like they have sand in them. Sometimes, the dryness causes blurry vision or sensitivity to bright light. You may get irritated, itchy eyelids due to inflammation.
Dry mouth. Your mouth may feel chalky, and you may have trouble swallowing, speaking, and tasting. Because you lack the protective effects of saliva, you may develop more dental decay (cavities) and mouth infections, such as candidiasis (also called thrush).
In some people, the main problem is dry mouth, while for others it is dry eyes, and some people experience both problems equally. In some cases, Sjögren’s syndrome affects other tissues and organs and has more widespread effects on the body. These other effects may cause:
Fatigue.
Joint pain.
Dry skin.
Dry nasal passages and throat, and a dry cough.
Skin rashes.
Muscle aches.
Acid reflux.
Vaginal dryness.
Swelling of the glands around the face and neck.
Trouble sleeping.
Poor concentration and memory problems.
Numbness, tingling, and weakness, especially in the extremities.
Shortness of breath or trouble breathing.
Muscle weakness.
The symptoms can be severe, with some people reporting debilitating pain and fatigue.
People with Sjögren’s syndrome have a higher chance of developing a type of cancer called lymphoma, but the risk of developing it is low.
Source: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Additional Materials (1)
Sjögren’s Syndrome : Signs and Symptoms
Video by Johns Hopkins Rheumatology/YouTube
3:15
Sjögren’s Syndrome : Signs and Symptoms
Johns Hopkins Rheumatology/YouTube
Dry Mouth
Dry Mouth condition - showing decreased or insufficient functioning of salivary glands
Image by Scientific Animations, Inc.
Dry Mouth condition - showing decreased or insufficient functioning of salivary glands
3D Medical animation still showing Dry Mouth condition.
Image by Scientific Animations, Inc.
5 Common Questions About Dry Mouth
Dry mouth is a common symptom of Sjögren's syndrome, as well as other diseases like diabetes and HIV/AIDS. Without enough saliva, or spit, it can be difficult to break down food, swallow, and take care of your teeth.
The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research answers five common questions about dry mouth and Sjögren's syndrome to help you navigate this tricky condition.
Is dry mouth a normal part of aging?
No, dry mouth is not part of the aging process itself. However, as people age, many may develop conditions that affect making saliva and they may take medications that can dry out the mouth.
What can cause dry mouth?
Medications. Dry mouth is a side effect of many types of medications, including those for depression, allergies and colds, and high blood pressure.
Dehydration. Dehydration happens when you lose more fluids than you take in. People of all ages can become dehydrated, but older adults are especially prone to it.
Radiation therapy. Salivary glands can be damaged if they are exposed to radiation during cancer treatment.
Chemotherapy. Drugs used to treat cancer can make saliva thicker, causing the mouth to feel dry.
Injury to the head or neck. A head or neck injury can damage the nerves that tell salivary glands to make saliva.
What can I do about dry mouth?
Visit your dentist or doctor, who will try to determine the cause and may:
Suggest changing, or adjusting the dosage of, a medication. But do not make any changes to your medications before talking with your dentist or doctor.
Prescribe medications to increase saliva.
Recommend using artificial saliva.
Does dry mouth put me at risk for tooth decay?
Yes. Because saliva protects against tooth decay, having less saliva can put you at risk. Keep your teeth healthy by:
Brushing at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.
Flossing regularly.
Visiting your dentist at least twice a year. You can ask your dentist if you need a prescription-strength fluoride gel or rinse to help prevent cavities.
If I have Sjögren's, what can my dentist recommend?
To protect your teeth, your dentist may recommend:
Using fluoride pastes, mouth rinses, gels, foams, or varnishes
Drinking adequate amounts of water (8 to 12 eight-ounce glasses each day)
Stimulating saliva production using sugarless lozenges, chewing gums, candies containing xylitol, or medications such as pilocarpine and cevimeline
Applying chlorhexidine, which can kill bacteria
Using a calcium phosphate rinse to repair tooth enamel
Source: NIH MedlinePlus Magazine
Additional Materials (3)
What to Do When You Have A Dry Mouth
Video by Delta Dental of New Jersey and Connecticut/YouTube
Dry Mouth - Causes, Symptoms, Treatments & More…
Video by Rehealthify/YouTube
Dry Mouth
Dry mouth is not a normal part of aging. If you think you have dry mouth, see your dentist or doctor to find out why your mouth is dry.
Document by National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
3:04
What to Do When You Have A Dry Mouth
Delta Dental of New Jersey and Connecticut/YouTube
1:51
Dry Mouth - Causes, Symptoms, Treatments & More…
Rehealthify/YouTube
Dry Mouth
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
Diagnosis
Schirmer's test
Image by Jmarchn
Schirmer's test
Schirmer's test, placing the strip in the lower eyelid pouch
Image by Jmarchn
Is There a Test for Sjögren’s Syndrome?
There is no single test for Sjögren’s syndrome, so doctors will typically ask about your symptoms and conduct a series of tests to diagnose the disorder. A rheumatologist (a specialist in autoimmune diseases) may diagnose the disease. However, an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) or a dentist may also perform certain tests to help make the diagnosis. The diagnosis is based on how well the tear and salivary glands are working and whether there is evidence of autoimmunity.
To diagnose Sjögren’s syndrome, your doctor may ask about your medical history, including about dryness in your eyes and mouth, such as when it started and whether you feel it every day. Your doctor may also order the following tests.
Eye tests to see if you produce a normal amount of tears, and to find out if there has been any damage to your eyes due to dryness.
Salivary gland tests can measure how much saliva your mouth produces. Ultrasound imaging and biopsy can help determine if the salivary gland tissues are altered by inflammation.
Blood tests can identify antibodies that are typically present in people with Sjögren’s syndrome and other autoimmune disorders. While the presence of these antibodies can help doctors diagnose Sjögren’s syndrome, this alone cannot diagnose the disorder because these antibodies may be present in healthy individuals and people with other disorders as well.
Your doctor may order other laboratory or imaging tests to determine if another disease or problem is causing your symptoms.
Source: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Additional Materials (1)
Sjögren’s Syndrome - Diagnosis | Johns Hopkins
Video by Johns Hopkins Rheumatology/YouTube
3:12
Sjögren’s Syndrome - Diagnosis | Johns Hopkins
Johns Hopkins Rheumatology/YouTube
Schirmer Test
Schirmer Test
Also called: Basal Secretion Test, Dry Eye Test, Tearing Test
A Schirmer test tells your eye doctor how quickly your eyes make tears. Your eye doctor will put a small piece of paper on the edge of your eyelid and see how long it takes for your body to make tears.
Schirmer Test
Also called: Basal Secretion Test, Dry Eye Test, Tearing Test
A Schirmer test tells your eye doctor how quickly your eyes make tears. Your eye doctor will put a small piece of paper on the edge of your eyelid and see how long it takes for your body to make tears.
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Use the slider below to see how your results affect your
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mm
5
10
15
Your result is Normal.
More than 10 mm of moisture on the filter paper after 5 minutes is a sign of normal tear production. Both eyes normally release the same amount of tears.
Related conditions
https://nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/dry-eye/testing-dry-eye [accessed on Sep 15, 2019]
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003501.htm [accessed on Sep 15, 2019]
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/315974.php [accessed on Sep 15, 2019]
https://www.hopkinssjogrens.org/disease-information/diagnosis-sjogrens-syndrome/schirmers-test/ [accessed on Sep 15, 2019]
https://www.healthline.com/health/schirmers-test#results [accessed on Sep 15, 2019]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schirmer%27s_test [accessed on Sep 15, 2019]
Arthritis Panel
Arthritis Panel
These tests are usually ordered when someone is experiencing symptoms commonly associated with arthritis, eg. rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Sjogren’s syndrome, Lyme disease or one of a few other inflammatory forms of arthritis. The panel aids in the differentiation between types of arthritis.
Arthritis Panel
These tests are usually ordered when someone is experiencing symptoms commonly associated with arthritis, eg. rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Sjogren’s syndrome, Lyme disease or one of a few other inflammatory forms of arthritis. The panel aids in the differentiation between types of arthritis.
Request A Test [accessed on Oct 03, 2018]
Find lab tests | Allina Health [accessed on Oct 03, 2018]
Arthritis Lab Test Guide [accessed on Oct 03, 2018]
HLA-B27 Antigen Test
HLA-B27 Antigen Test
Also called: HLA-B27 Test, Human Leukocyte Antigen B27
HLA-B27 antigen test is a genetic test that identifies the presence of the HLA-B27 antigen on the surface of white blood cells. The test is used to diagnose certain autoimmune disorders, particularly those involving the joints and spine.
HLA-B27 Antigen Test
Also called: HLA-B27 Test, Human Leukocyte Antigen B27
HLA-B27 antigen test is a genetic test that identifies the presence of the HLA-B27 antigen on the surface of white blood cells. The test is used to diagnose certain autoimmune disorders, particularly those involving the joints and spine.
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Use the slider below to see how your results affect your
health.
1
Your result is Negative.
A negative HLA-B27 antigen test indicates the absence of the HLA-B27 protein. It suggests that the pain and inflammation may have a different root cause.
Related conditions
HLA-B27 antigen: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia [accessed on Dec 26, 2023]
HLA-B27 Antigen | Ulta Lab Tests [accessed on Dec 26, 2023]
This test measures the amount of rheumatoid factor in a sample of your blood. Rheumatoid factors are proteins produced by your immune system that can attack healthy tissue. High levels may be a sign of rheumatoid arthritis or another autoimmune disease.
This test measures the amount of rheumatoid factor in a sample of your blood. Rheumatoid factors are proteins produced by your immune system that can attack healthy tissue. High levels may be a sign of rheumatoid arthritis or another autoimmune disease.
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Use the slider below to see how your results affect your
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(i.U.)/mL
14
Your result is Negative.
A low number or a negative result means that you have little or no rheumatoid factor in your blood. But that doesn't rule out rheumatoid arthritis or another health problem. Many people with rheumatoid arthritis have little or no rheumatoid factor. Further testing may be necessary to confirm a diagnosis.
Related conditions
A rheumatoid factor (RF) test looks for rheumatoid factor (RF) in a sample of your blood. Rheumatoid factors are proteins made by the immune system.
Normally, your immune system makes proteins called antibodies to attack germs that could make you sick. But rheumatoid factors are antibodies that sometimes attack healthy cells and tissues in your body by mistake. When this happens, you have an autoimmune disorder.
Not everyone has rheumatoid factors in their blood. And some people who have them are healthy. But if you have certain symptoms and higher levels or rheumatoid factors, you may have an autoimmune disorder or another health problem related to high RF levels.
RF testing is mostly used with other tests to help diagnose rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a type of autoimmune disorder that damages your joints and causes pain, swelling, and stiffness. It is a chronic (long-lasting) condition that can also affect your organs and cause other symptoms.
High levels of rheumatoid factors may also be a sign of other autoimmune disorders, certain infections, and certain types of cancer.
Other names: RF Blood Test
An RF test is often used to help diagnose rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune disorders. RF testing may also be used to understand how severe rheumatoid arthritis may be and whether it's likely to affect organs. An RF test alone can't diagnose any health problems.
You may need an RF test if you have symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Symptoms often begin in the wrists, hands, and feet. They usually affect the same joints on both sides of the body and tend to come and go.
Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis may include:
Joint pain
Tenderness, swelling, and warmth of the joint
Joint stiffness that lasts longer than 30 minutes
Fatigue
Occasional low fevers
Loss of appetite
Problems outside of the joints that may include dry eyes or mouth, firm lumps under the skin, or anemia
You may also need an RF test if you're having tests to diagnose another condition that can cause high levels of rheumatoid factor, such as:
Other autoimmune disorders, including:
Sjögren syndrome
Lupus
Scleroderma
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis in children and teens
Chronic infections, including:
Hepatitis C (liver)
Tuberculosis (mostly affects the lungs)
Endocarditis (heart)
Certain types of cancer, including leukemia
A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.
At-home tests for rheumatoid factor are available. The test kit provides everything you need to collect a sample of blood by pricking your finger. You'll mail your sample to a lab for testing. If you do a home test, it's important to share your results with your health care provider.
You don't need any special preparations for an RF test.
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.
An RF test alone cannot diagnose any conditions. To make a diagnosis, your provider will look at the results of other tests along with your symptoms and medical history.
A negative (normal) result means that you have little or no rheumatoid factor in your blood. But that doesn't rule out rheumatoid arthritis or another health problem. Many people with rheumatoid arthritis have little or no rheumatoid factor. If you have symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, but your RF test results are normal, your provider may order more tests to make a diagnosis.
A positive (abnormal) result means that a higher level of rheumatoid factor was found in your blood. This doesn't always mean that rheumatoid factors are causing your symptoms. But the higher your RF test results, the more likely it is that you have a condition linked to rheumatoid factors. Your provider may do more tests to find out if you have:
Rheumatoid arthritis or another autoimmune disease
A chronic infection
Certain cancers
An RF test is not used to diagnose osteoarthritis. Although rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis both affect the joints, they are very different diseases. Osteoarthritis is not an autoimmune disease and does not involve rheumatoid factor. Researchers aren't sure what causes osteoarthritis. It mostly affects older adults.
Rheumatoid Factor (RF) Test: MedlinePlus Medical Test [accessed on Jan 29, 2024]
Rheumatoid factor (RF): MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia [accessed on Jan 29, 2024]
Rheumatoid Factor (RF) Test - Testing.com. Dec 6, 2022 [accessed on Jan 29, 2024]
Normal reference ranges can vary depending on the laboratory and the method used for testing. You must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are "within normal limits."
Additional Materials (17)
Rheumatoid Arthritis, Pain
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation, pain, stiffness and eventual deterioration of the joints, especially in hands and wrists, but also in shoulders, neck, hips, knees, and feet. More than 1.3 million people in the U.S. have rheumatoid arthritis. There is no cure, but early diagnosis and treatment can slow the progression of the disease, minimize symptoms, and help preserve joint function; getting exercise and rest can also help.
Image by TheVisualMD
What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid Arthritis B-Cell Breakthrough : A new discovery has shed light on the mechanism by which joints are damaged by rheumatoid arthritis, scientists announced this week. Rheumatoid Arthritis x-rayWriting in this week's edition of the journal PLoS Medicine Barts and the London Medical school researcher Constantino Pitzalis and his colleagues collected samples from the inflamed joints of patients affected by the disease, which affects about 1% of the adult population and occurs when the immune system mistakes healthy joints for hostile tissue and attacks them.
Image by Bernd Bragelmann Braegel Mit freundlicher Genehmigung von Dr. Martin Steinhoff
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation, pain, stiffness and eventual deterioration of the joints, especially in hands and wrists, but also in shoulders, neck, hips, knees, and feet. While a diagnosis of RA ultimately depends on clinical symptoms, the presence of antibodies such as rheumatoid factor (RF) and cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (CCP) are usually good indicators that the disease is present. The CCP test may detect the presence of antibodies before symptoms appear.
Image by TheVisualMD
A hand affected by rheumatoid arthritis
Image by James Heilman, MD
Collecting Skin Microbiome Samples
Heidi H. Kong, M.D., M.H.Sc., performs a non-invasive collection of skin samples with the assistance of Sheila Phang, R.N., a research nurse. These types of samples are processed and sequenced for microbiome studies. The skin microbiome is the collection of bacteria and other microorganisms that inhabits the skin. Dr. Kong’s research is part of efforts to understand the skin microbiome and its role in health and disease. The photograph was taken in an Outpatient Clinic in the NIH Clinical Center.
NOTE: When this photo was taken, Dr. Kong was with the Dermatology Branch of the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The branch became part of NIAMS in 2017.
Image by NIAMS/Photographer: Rhoda Baer
Rheumatoid Arthritis - Mayo Clinic
Video by Mayo Clinic/YouTube
Rheumatoid Arthritis of the hand - Everything You Need To Know - Dr. Nabil Ebraheim
Video by nabil ebraheim/YouTube
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Video by Focus Medica/YouTube
Rheumatoid Arthritis Overview
Video by AnswersTV/YouTube
Rheumatoid Factor Test Positive - what does it mean? | Comprehensive Guide to Autoimmune Disorders
Video by Dr. Diana Girnita - Rheumatologist OnCall /YouTube
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis - JRA
Video by drmdk/YouTube
5 Things you need to know about your positive Rheumatoid Factor
Video by Connected Rheumatology/YouTube
Symptoms and Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis patients.
Video by CNN/YouTube
Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
Video by Khan Academy/YouTube
The Pain, Swelling And Stiffness of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Video by Mayo Clinic/YouTube
Novel Treatments for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Video by Mechanisms in Medicine/YouTube
Hip Joint
The hip is a ball-and-socket joint located where the femur (thigh bone) meets the pelvic cone. Its ball-and-socket construction permits the hip joint a large range of motion, second only to that of the shoulder. (This large range of motion is restricted somewhat by the soft tissues of the hip joint.) The hip joint supports much of your weight when you are standing, walking, or running. When you sit, the load is largely transferred to the ischial tuberosities (sit bones). The femoral ball-the ball-shaped head of the femur-is the moving part of the hip joint. It fits into a hollow socket in the hip called the acetabulum. The acetabulum holds about half of the femoral ball. The femoral ball is attached to the femur by a thin neck region. This is the part of the hip joint that most often fractures in the elderly. The femoral ball and the inner surface of the acetabulum are covered in articular cartilage, providing a smooth contact surface. The acetabulum has a rim made of fibrocartilage called the labrum, which acts as a kind of gasket. The labrum helps to hold the femoral ball in place. The hip joint capsule, a thick, fibrous sheath of connective tissue, surrounds the entire hip joint and helps to hold it firmly together.
Image by TheVisualMD
Rheumatoid Arthritis, Pain
TheVisualMD
What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Bernd Bragelmann Braegel Mit freundlicher Genehmigung von Dr. Martin Steinhoff
Rheumatoid Arthritis
TheVisualMD
A hand affected by rheumatoid arthritis
James Heilman, MD
Collecting Skin Microbiome Samples
NIAMS/Photographer: Rhoda Baer
2:09
Rheumatoid Arthritis - Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic/YouTube
5:50
Rheumatoid Arthritis of the hand - Everything You Need To Know - Dr. Nabil Ebraheim
nabil ebraheim/YouTube
0:42
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Focus Medica/YouTube
8:09
Rheumatoid Arthritis Overview
AnswersTV/YouTube
7:31
Rheumatoid Factor Test Positive - what does it mean? | Comprehensive Guide to Autoimmune Disorders
Dr. Diana Girnita - Rheumatologist OnCall /YouTube
4:28
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis - JRA
drmdk/YouTube
7:38
5 Things you need to know about your positive Rheumatoid Factor
Connected Rheumatology/YouTube
3:10
Symptoms and Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis patients.
CNN/YouTube
11:16
Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
Khan Academy/YouTube
1:47
The Pain, Swelling And Stiffness of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Mayo Clinic/YouTube
3:28
Novel Treatments for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Mechanisms in Medicine/YouTube
Hip Joint
TheVisualMD
C-Reactive Protein Test
C-Reactive Protein Test
Also called: CRP
This test measures the level of c-reactive protein (CRP) in a sample of your blood. A c-reactive protein test checks for inflammation in the body. Inflammation can be caused by infection, injury, or chronic disease.
C-Reactive Protein Test
Also called: CRP
This test measures the level of c-reactive protein (CRP) in a sample of your blood. A c-reactive protein test checks for inflammation in the body. Inflammation can be caused by infection, injury, or chronic disease.
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Use the slider below to see how your results affect your
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mg/L
10
Your result is Normal.
Test results may vary depending on your age, gender, health history, the lab and the method used for the test.
Related conditions
A c-reactive protein test measures the level of c-reactive protein (CRP) in a sample of your blood. CRP is a protein that your liver makes. Normally, you have low levels of c-reactive protein in your blood. Your liver releases more CRP into your bloodstream if you have inflammation in your body. High levels of CRP may mean you have a serious health condition that causes inflammation.
Inflammation is your body's way of protecting your tissues and helping them heal from an injury, infection, or other disease. Inflammation can be acute (sudden) and temporary. This type of inflammation is usually helpful. For example, if you cut your skin, it may turn red, swell, and hurt for a few days. Those are signs of inflammation. Inflammation can also happen inside your body.
If inflammation lasts too long, it can damage healthy tissues. This is called chronic (long-term) inflammation. Chronic infections, certain autoimmune disorders, and other diseases can cause harmful chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation can also happen if your tissues are repeatedly injured or irritated, for example from smoking or chemicals in the environment.
A CRP test can show whether you have inflammation in your body and how much. But the test can't show what's causing the inflammation or which part of your body is inflamed.
Other names: c-reactive protein, serum
A CRP test may be used to help find or monitor inflammation in acute or chronic conditions, including:
Infections from bacteria or viruses
Inflammatory bowel disease, disorders of the intestines that include Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
Autoimmune disorders, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and vasculitis
Lung diseases, such as asthma
Your health care provider may use a CRP test to see if treatments for chronic inflammation are working or to make treatment decisions if you have sepsis. Sepsis is your body's extreme response to an infection that spreads to your blood. It's a life-threatening medical emergency.
You may need this test if you have symptoms of a bacterial infection, such as:
Fever or chills
Rapid heart rate
Rapid breathing
Nausea and vomiting
You may also need a CRP test if your provider thinks you may have a chronic condition that causes inflammation. The symptoms will depend on the condition.
If you've already been diagnosed with an infection or a chronic disease that causes inflammation, you may need this test to monitor your condition and treatment. CRP levels rise and fall depending on how much inflammation is in your body. If your CRP levels fall, it's a sign that your treatment for inflammation is working or you're healing on your own.
A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This process usually takes less than five minutes.
Some medicines may affect your results. So, tell your provider about any supplements or medicines that you take, including ibuprofen, aspirin, and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). Don't stop taking any prescription medicines without talking with your provider first.
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.
Your CRP test results tell you how much inflammation you have in your body. But your test results can't tell you what's causing the inflammation. To make a diagnosis, your provider will look at your CRP results along with the results of other tests, your symptoms, and medical history.
In general, healthy people have very low amounts of CRP in their blood. Any increases above normal mean you have inflammation in your body. But labs measure CRP levels in different ways, and they define "normal" CRP ranges differently, so it's best to ask your provider what your results mean.
A CRP test is sometimes confused with a high-sensitivity-(hs) CRP test. They both measure CRP, but they are used for different conditions. An hs-CRP test measures very tiny increases in your CRP levels. It is used to estimate your risk of heart disease.
C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Test: MedlinePlus Medical Test [accessed on Jul 16, 2024]
Normal reference ranges can vary depending on the laboratory and the method used for testing. You must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are "within normal limits."
Additional Materials (20)
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Cardiovascular Inflammation
Heart disease is the number one killer of men and women in the U.S. The most common cause of heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death is atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory response in the walls of arteries that leads to the hardening of arterial walls and the buildup of fatty deposits called plaques, or atheromas. Although the process of inflammation can be beneficial in other parts of the body, chronic inflammation within arterial walls is problematic as it seems to promote this underlying growth of plaque. The combination of arterial inflammation and the growth of plaque can lead to the rupture of the plaque, and result in a blood clot. Blood clots can lead to dangerous conditions such as heart attack or stroke.
Video by TheVisualMD
C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Molecule
C-reactive protein (CRP) is a substance made by the liver; infection and inflammation can trigger the release of CRP within hours. Elevated CRP levels are also seen after a heart attack or surgery. Levels can jump 1000-fold in response to acute inflammation, often rising before the appearance of pain, fever or other clinical symptoms. The high sensitivity version of the test (hs-CRP) measures the same molecule, but in very small amounts, and is used to assess the risk of heart disease in otherwise healthy people. The C-reactive protein (CRP) test is a general test for inflammation in the body; it can indicate that inflammation is present, but cannot determine the location or cause. The test is sometimes used to monitor flare-ups of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. A version of the test called high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is used to evaluate a person's risk for heart disease.
Image by TheVisualMD
C Reactive Protein: Liver and Heart
C-Reactive protein is synthesized by the liver in response to either signals from fat cells (adipocytes) or when there is inflammation throughout the body.
Image by TheVisualMD
Lipoprotein (a) or Lp(a), Heart Attack
LDL, HDL and total cholesterol have become standard biomarkers for heart disease. And yet half of all people who suffer heart attacks have normal cholesterol levels. For that reason, researchers have looked for other biomarkers that might help identify people at risk for cardiovascular disease. Lp(a) is a lipoprotein that closely resembles LDL, and like LDL, elevated levels of Lp(a) are associated with a higher risk of heart disease. Unlike LDL, however, Lp(a) levels are believed to be largely genetic.
Image by TheVisualMD
NBC Nightly News and C-Reactive Protein
Video by SAVI Health/YouTube
CRP Nursing Considerations, Normal Range, Nursing Care, Lab Values Nursing
Video by NURSINGcom/YouTube
CRP And Homocysteine Inflammation Markers, How Do They Relate To Coronary Artery Disease? - Dr. Lyel
Video by EmpowHER/YouTube
CRP High Sensitivity Cardiac Risk Assessment from Walk-in Lab
Video by Walk-In Lab LLC/YouTube
What Can Give False Readings on an hs-CRP Test? : Health Tips
Video by ehowhealth/YouTube
CRP Indicates Heart Disease Risk Video - Brigham and Women's Hospital
Video by Brigham And Women's Hospital/YouTube
C Reactive Protein: Fat cells
Researchers have found that fat cells trigger the production of C-reactive protein (CRP), which is why individuals who are overweight or obese tend to have chronically higher levels of CRP. High levels of CRP are sometimes treated with aspirin or statins.
Image by TheVisualMD
C-reactive Protein, Atherosclerosis and Heart Disease
C-reactive protein (CRP) is a substance made by the liver that is released into the bloodstream by inflammation. CRP levels also seem to be associated with an increased risk of heart disease and atherosclerosis, in which fatty deposits called plaque build up inside the arteries. For this reason, a high sensitivity C-reactive protein test (hs-CRP) is increasingly ordered along with other tests as part of a cardiovascular risk profile (other components of the profile include cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure, glucose levels, lifestyle and family history).
Image by TheVisualMD
C-reactive Protein, Fat cells
C-reactive protein (CRP) is a substance made by the liver that is released into the bloodstream by inflammation and infection as part of the body's immune response. Researchers have found, however, that fat cells also seem to trigger the production of C-reactive protein (CRP), which is why individuals who are overweight or obese tend to have chronically higher levels of CRP.
Image by TheVisualMD
What is C-Reactive Protein & How to Lower it? – Dr.Berg
Video by Dr. Eric Berg DC/YouTube
C-reactive protein
Video by University of Rochester Introductory Biochemistry (Bio250H)/YouTube
C-Reactive Protein (CRP) | Inflammation | Acute phase reactant
Video by Medicosis Perfectionalis/YouTube
C-reactive protein
C-reactive protein drawn from PDB: 1GNH by JFW | T@lk
Different white blood cells have specialized immune functions; certain WBCs, for example, are able to ingest harmful foreign particles, including pathogens, in a process called phagocytosis. CRP is believed to enhance this defense mechanism.
Image by TheVisualMD
The C-Reactive Protein (CRP) blood test and what the results can mean
Video by Pathology Tests Explained/YouTube
4:26
Cardiovascular Inflammation
TheVisualMD
C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Molecule
TheVisualMD
C Reactive Protein: Liver and Heart
TheVisualMD
Lipoprotein (a) or Lp(a), Heart Attack
TheVisualMD
2:33
NBC Nightly News and C-Reactive Protein
SAVI Health/YouTube
1:33
CRP Nursing Considerations, Normal Range, Nursing Care, Lab Values Nursing
NURSINGcom/YouTube
2:12
CRP And Homocysteine Inflammation Markers, How Do They Relate To Coronary Artery Disease? - Dr. Lyel
EmpowHER/YouTube
1:51
CRP High Sensitivity Cardiac Risk Assessment from Walk-in Lab
Walk-In Lab LLC/YouTube
2:25
What Can Give False Readings on an hs-CRP Test? : Health Tips
ehowhealth/YouTube
3:37
CRP Indicates Heart Disease Risk Video - Brigham and Women's Hospital
Brigham And Women's Hospital/YouTube
C Reactive Protein: Fat cells
TheVisualMD
C-reactive Protein, Atherosclerosis and Heart Disease
TheVisualMD
C-reactive Protein, Fat cells
TheVisualMD
4:26
What is C-Reactive Protein & How to Lower it? – Dr.Berg
Dr. Eric Berg DC/YouTube
5:13
C-reactive protein
University of Rochester Introductory Biochemistry (Bio250H)/YouTube
12:14
C-Reactive Protein (CRP) | Inflammation | Acute phase reactant
The C-Reactive Protein (CRP) blood test and what the results can mean
Pathology Tests Explained/YouTube
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate Test
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate Test
Also called: ESR, Westergren sedimentation rate
An erythrocyte sedimentation rate measures how quickly red blood cells settle in a test tube. It can help detect inflammation in the body.
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate Test
Also called: ESR, Westergren sedimentation rate
An erythrocyte sedimentation rate measures how quickly red blood cells settle in a test tube. It can help detect inflammation in the body.
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Use the slider below to see how your results affect your
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mm/h
5
22
40
Your result is Normal.
Normal results vary based on the laboratory and the method used.
Related conditions
An erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a type of blood test that measures how quickly erythrocytes (red blood cells) settle at the bottom of a test tube that contains a blood sample. Normally, red blood cells settle relatively slowly. A faster-than-normal rate may indicate inflammation in the body. Inflammation is part of your immune response system. It can be a reaction to an infection or injury. Inflammation may also be a sign of a chronic disease, an immune disorder, or other medical condition.
An ESR test can help determine if you have a condition that causes inflammation. These include arthritis, vasculitis, or inflammatory bowel disease. An ESR may also be used to monitor an existing condition.
Your health care provider may order an ESR if you have symptoms of an inflammatory disorder. These include:
Headaches
Fever
Weight loss
Joint stiffness
Neck or shoulder pain
Loss of appetite
Anemia
A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.
You don't need any special preparations for this test.
There is very little risk to having an ESR. You may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.
If your ESR is high, it may be related to an inflammatory condition, such as:
Infection
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatic fever
Vascular disease
Inflammatory bowel disease
Heart disease
Kidney disease
Certain cancers
Sometimes the ESR can be slower than normal. A slow ESR may indicate a blood disorder, such as:
Polycythemia
Sickle cell anemia
Leukocytosis, an abnormal increase in white blood cells
If your results are not in the normal range, it doesn't necessarily mean you have a medical condition that requires treatment. A moderate ESR may indicate pregnancy, menstruation, or anemia, rather than an inflammatory disease. Certain medicines and supplements can also affect your results. These include oral contraceptives, aspirin, cortisone, and vitamin A. Be sure to tell your health care provider about any drugs or supplements you are taking.
An ESR does not specifically diagnose any diseases, but it can provide information about whether or not there is inflammation in your body. If your ESR results are abnormal, your health care provider will need more information and will likely order more lab tests before making a diagnosis.
Normal reference ranges can vary depending on the laboratory and the method used for testing. You must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are "within normal limits."
Additional Materials (6)
This browser does not support the video element.
What Is Inflammation?
Inflammation is the body's response to damage. It takes many forms. Chronic inflammation is common in overweight and obese people, because their fat cells manufacture damaging substances that trigger a reaction from the immune system's white blood cells. Keeping track of a key biomarker for inflammation, C-reactive Protein or CRP, helps doctors determine whether an overweight patient is at risk for such conditions as heart disease, dementia, diabetes, cancers, and more.
Video by TheVisualMD
Asthma - Inflammation in the Airways
Asthma is a condition in which the airways of your lungs are chronically inflamed. Allergens or other triggers can cause the smooth muscle tissue that surrounds your airways to constrict (narrow). These triggers can also prompt an inflammatory response from the immune cells that line your airways, causing them to release an excessive amount of mucus. The constriction and the mucus narrow your airways, creating symptoms that can include shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness.
Image by TheVisualMD
Mast Cell
Mast cells produce histamine. Histamine is known for its role in inflammation. It affects a variety of behavior patterns including the sleep-wake cycle and food intake. Antihistamines may work at odds with inflammation and depression.
Image by TheVisualMD
Subsiding Inflammation in blood vessels
Monocytes, having matured into macrophages continue to destroy pathogens and cellular debris by ingesting them, while the inflammation process begins to subside.
Image by TheVisualMD
Basophil
Visualization of a basophil. A type of leukocyte (white blood cell) responsible for combating infection.
Image by TheVisualMD
erythrocyte sedimentation rate
Westergren pipettes in automated StaRRsed ESR analyzer
This test looks for CCP (cyclic citrullinated peptide) antibodies in the blood. CCP antibodies are made by the immune system. Instead of fighting disease-causing substances, CCP antibodies attack healthy tissues in the joints. CCP antibodies can be a sign of rheumatoid arthritis.
This test looks for CCP (cyclic citrullinated peptide) antibodies in the blood. CCP antibodies are made by the immune system. Instead of fighting disease-causing substances, CCP antibodies attack healthy tissues in the joints. CCP antibodies can be a sign of rheumatoid arthritis.
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Use the slider below to see how your results affect your
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AU/mL
20
40
60
Your result is Negative.
A negative result means you are less likely to have rheumatoid arthritis.
Related conditions
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.
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. However, RF factors can be found in people with other autoimmune diseases and even in some healthy people. And some people with RA have little to no RF factors. Doing both tests provides a more accurate diagnosis than only using RF testing results.
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.
A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.
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.
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.
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.
If you have symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, and your results show:
Positive CCP antibodies and positive RF, it means that you probably have rheumatoid arthritis.
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.
Negative CCP antibodies and negative RF, it means you are less likely to have rheumatoid arthritis. Your provider may need to do more tests to help find out what is causing your symptoms.
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
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.
Rheumatoid arthritis can be difficult to diagnose, especially in its early stages. Your provider may order one or more tests in addition to CCP antibody and RF tests. These include x-rays of your joints and the following blood tests:
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
Synovial fluid analysis
C-reactive protein
Antinuclear antibody
These blood tests can show increased protein in the blood, which may be a sign of having a medical condition that causes inflammation. Inflammation can be a symptom of rheumatoid arthritis.
CCP Antibody Test: MedlinePlus Medical Test [accessed on Jun 04, 2024]
CCP - Health Encyclopedia - University of Rochester Medical Center [accessed on Jun 04, 2024]
Additional Materials (2)
Abdomen Showing Small Intestine and Large Intestine
3D visualization reconstructed from scanned human data of an anterior oblique view of abdomen highlighting the small intestine. The small intestine is responsible for the majority of nutrient absorption in the body and is subdivided into three areas: the duodenum, the jejunum, and the ileum.
Image by TheVisualMD
Small Intestine and Large Intestine
3D visualization based on scanned human data of small and large intestines of the female. The small intestine is responsible for the majority of nutrient absorption while the large intestine absorbs most of the remaining water and vitamins produced by the resident bacterial flora, as well as moving the waste material to its final destination in the rectum. The lower gastrointestinal tract sits slightly lower and wider in the female than in the male, due to the larger pelvic girdle of the female skeleton as adapted for childbirth.
Image by TheVisualMD
Abdomen Showing Small Intestine and Large Intestine
TheVisualMD
Small Intestine and Large Intestine
TheVisualMD
ANA (Antinuclear Antibody) Test
ANA (Antinuclear Antibody) Test
Also called: ANF (Anti-Nuclear Factor) Test, Fluorescent Anti-Nuclear Antibody (FANA) Test
The test looks for antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in a sample of your blood. It is used to see if you have an autoimmune disorder, a condition where the immune system attacks healthy cells.
ANA (Antinuclear Antibody) Test
Also called: ANF (Anti-Nuclear Factor) Test, Fluorescent Anti-Nuclear Antibody (FANA) Test
The test looks for antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in a sample of your blood. It is used to see if you have an autoimmune disorder, a condition where the immune system attacks healthy cells.
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Use the slider below to see how your results affect your
health.
Your result is Negative.
A negative result means that your blood has no detectable levels of ANAs. An autoimmune disorder is less likely.
Related conditions
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Use the slider below to see how your results affect your
health.
{titer}
40
80
Your result is Negative.
Related conditions
An ANA test is a blood test that looks for antinuclear antibodies in your blood. Antibodies are proteins that your immune system makes to fight foreign substances, such as viruses and bacteria. But an antinuclear antibody attacks your own healthy cells instead. It's called "antinuclear" because it targets the nucleus (center) of the cells.
It's normal to have a few antinuclear antibodies in your blood. But a large number may be a sign of an autoimmune disorder. If you have an autoimmune disorder, your immune system attacks the cells of your organs and tissues by mistake. These disorders can cause serious health problems.
Other names: antinuclear antibody panel, fluorescent antinuclear antibody, FANA, ANA, ANA reflexive panel
An ANA test is used to help diagnose autoimmune disorders, such as:
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the most common type of lupus. Lupus is a chronic (long-lasting) disease that affects many parts of the body, including the joints, skin, heart, lungs, blood vessels, kidneys, and brain.
Rheumatoid arthritis, a condition that mostly affects joints, causing pain and swelling often in the wrists, hands, and feet.
Scleroderma, a rare disease that may affect the skin, blood vessels, and organs.
Sjögren's syndrome, a rare disease that affects the glands that make tears and saliva (spit) and other parts of the body.
Addison Disease, which affects your adrenal glands, causing fatigue and weakness.
Autoimmune hepatitis, which causes swelling in your liver.
Your health care provider may order an ANA test if you have symptoms of an autoimmune disorder. The symptoms depend on the part of the body that's affected. They may include:
Fever
Rash, blisters, or skin color changes
Fatigue
Joint pain, stiffness, and swelling
Muscle pain
A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.
You don't need any special preparations for an ANA test.
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.
Results from an ANA test alone cannot diagnose a specific disease. Your provider will use your ANA test results along with other tests and information about your health to make a diagnosis.
A negative result on an ANA test means that antinuclear antibodies were not found in your blood, and you're less likely to have an autoimmune disorder. But a negative ANA test doesn't completely rule out the possibility that you could have an autoimmune disorder.
A positive result on an ANA test means that antinuclear antibodies were found in your blood. A positive result may be a sign of:
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
A different type of autoimmune disease
A viral infection (antinuclear antibodies from a virus are usually temporary)
Another health condition that can cause antinuclear antibodies, such as cancer.
If your ANA test results are positive, your provider will likely order more tests to make a diagnosis.
Having antinuclear antibodies in your blood doesn't always mean you have a disease. Some healthy people have antinuclear antibodies in their blood, and levels tend to increase with age. As many as one-third of healthy adults over the age of 65 may have a positive ANA test result. Also, certain medicines can cause antinuclear antibodies.
If you have questions about your results, talk with your provider.
ANA (Antinuclear Antibody) Test: MedlinePlus Medical Test [accessed on Jan 19, 2024]
Antinuclear Antibody - Health Encyclopedia - University of Rochester Medical Center [accessed on Oct 01, 2018]
Anti-Nuclear Antibody (ANA) Test [accessed on Oct 01, 2018]
Normal reference ranges can vary depending on the laboratory and the method used for testing. You must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are "within normal limits."
Additional Materials (6)
ANA - dsDNA antibody
Antibody binding to DNA. These antibodies are found in the sera of systemic lupus erythematosus.
Image by Simon Caulton/Wikimedia
Antinuclear antibodies
Kit for carrying out a test for antinuclear antibodies : The immune system makes an abundance of proteins called antibodies. Antibodies are made by white blood cells and they recognize and combat infectious organisms in the body. Sometimes these antibodies make a mistake, identifying normal, naturally-occurring proteins in our bodies as being "foreign" and dangerous. The antibodies that target "normal" proteins within the nucleus of a cell are called antinuclear antibodies (ANA). ANAs could signal the body to begin attacking itself which can lead to autoimmune diseases, including lupus, scleroderma, Sjögren's syndrome, polymyositis/ dermatomyositis, mixed connective tissue disease, drug-induced lupus, and autoimmune hepatitis. A positive ANA can also be seen in juvenile arthritis.
Image by J3D3
Main antinuclear antibody patterns on immunofluorescence
Main antinuclear antibody patterns on immunofluorescence: Speckled, homogenous, mixed, nucleolar, centromere and peripheral patterns.
Image by Mikael Häggström, M.D./Wikimedia
SSA SSB ANA
Immunofluorescence pattern of SS-A and SS-B antibodies. Produced using serum from a patient on HEp-20-10 cells with a FITC conjugate.
Image by Simon Caulton/Wikimedia
DsDNA antibodies
Homogeneous immunofluorescence staining pattern of double stranded DNA antibodies on HEp-20-10 cells. Interphase cells show homogeneous nuclear staining while mitotic cells show staining of the condensed chromosome regions.. Immunofluorescence pattern of double stranded DNA antibodies. Produced using serum from a patient with lupus erythematosus on HEp-20-10 cells with a FITC conjugate.
Image by Simon Caulton/Wikimedia
CENTROMERE
Immunofluorescence pattern of centromere antibodies. Produced using serum from a patient on HEp-20-10 cells with a FITC conjugate
Image by Simon Caulton/Wikimedia
ANA - dsDNA antibody
Simon Caulton/Wikimedia
Antinuclear antibodies
J3D3
Main antinuclear antibody patterns on immunofluorescence
Mikael Häggström, M.D./Wikimedia
SSA SSB ANA
Simon Caulton/Wikimedia
DsDNA antibodies
Simon Caulton/Wikimedia
CENTROMERE
Simon Caulton/Wikimedia
Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibodies (ANCA) Test
Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibodies (ANCA) Test
Also called: ANCA, ANCA Antibodies, cANCA, pANCA, Cytoplasmic Neutrophil Antibodies, Anticytoplasmic Autoantibodies
This test looks for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) in your blood. ANCAs attack healthy white blood cells called neutrophils. The test helps diagnose autoimmune vasculitis and inflammatory bowel disease.
Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibodies (ANCA) Test
Also called: ANCA, ANCA Antibodies, cANCA, pANCA, Cytoplasmic Neutrophil Antibodies, Anticytoplasmic Autoantibodies
This test looks for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) in your blood. ANCAs attack healthy white blood cells called neutrophils. The test helps diagnose autoimmune vasculitis and inflammatory bowel disease.
This test looks for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) in a sample of your blood. Antibodies are proteins that your immune system makes to fight foreign substances, such as viruses and bacteria. But sometimes antibodies attack the healthy cells of your own tissues and organs by mistake. This is called autoimmune disease.
ANCAs attack healthy white blood cells called neutrophils. This can lead to a disorder called autoimmune vasculitis. There are several types of autoimmune vasculitis, but they all cause inflammation and swelling in your blood vessels. When this happens, your blood vessels can narrow or close off. This can cause different types of serious health problems depending on which blood vessels in your body are affected.
There are two main kinds of ANCA called pANCA and cANCA. Each type targets a specific protein inside white blood cells. An ANCA test can show whether you have one or both types of antibodies. This information helps your health care provider diagnose which type of autoimmune vasculitis you have so you can get the right treatment.
Testing for pANCA can also help diagnose certain types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). IBD is a group of chronic (long-lasting) autoimmune diseases that cause swelling and irritation in your stomach and intestines.
Other names: ANCA antibodies, cANCA, pANCA, cytoplasmic neutrophil antibodies, serum, anticytoplasmic autoantibodies
ANCA testing is used to help:
Find out if you have autoimmune vasculitis and which type.
Monitor treatment for autoimmune vasculitis.
Diagnose whether you have ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. Both conditions are types of inflammatory bowel disease. ANCAs are more commonly found in ulcerative colitis.
Types of autoimmune vasculitis include:
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA). This condition used to be called Wegener's disease. It most often affects blood vessels in the lungs and/or sinuses. It may also affect the nose, windpipe, or kidneys.
Microscopic polyangiitis (MPA). This disorder can affect several parts of the body, including the lungs, kidneys, nerves, skin, and joints.
Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA). This condition used to be called Churg Strauss syndrome. It usually affects blood vessels in the lungs and/or sinuses. It may also affect the stomach and intestines, skin, heart, and nervous system. It often causes asthma and a high level of white blood cells called eosinophils.
If you have symptoms of autoimmune vasculitis, you may need an ANCA test. Symptoms may develop slowly or quickly. They may be mild or severe.
General symptoms may include:
Fatigue
Fever
General aches and pains
Loss of appetite
Weight loss
Other symptoms depend on which type of vasculitis you have and which parts of your body are affected. Symptoms in some commonly affected areas include:
Eyes, ears, and nose
Changes in vision or loss of vision
Red and/or itching, burning eyes
Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
Hearing loss
Dizziness
Sinus infections
Skin
Rashes or hives
Itching
Bruises
Lungs
Coughing up blood
Shortness of breath
Kidneys
Blood in the urine (pee)
Foamy urine, which is caused by protein in the urine
Nervous system
Numbness, tingling, and/or weakness in different parts of the body
Shooting pains in the arms and legs
Stomach and intestines
Open sores in the mouth
Diarrhea
Vomiting blood
You may also need an ANCA test if you have symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which may include:
Abdominal (belly) pain
Diarrhea
Weight loss
Blood in stool (poop)
Fever
A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.
You usually don't need any special preparations for an ANCA test. But ANCA testing may be done with other blood tests. Your provider will let you know if you need to prepare.
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.
Your provider will consider the results of your ANCA test along with your symptoms and the results of other tests. Ask your provider to explain what your test results mean.
If you were tested for autoimmune vasculitis:
A negative result means that no ANCAs were found in your blood sample. Your symptoms probably aren't caused by autoimmune vasculitis.
A positive result means that ANCAs were found in your blood sample. This may mean you have autoimmune vasculitis. Your test results will also show which type of ANCAs were found. This can help diagnose the type of vasculitis you have.
If ANCA antibodies are found, another test may be done on your blood sample to see how much ANCA is in your blood. You will often need other blood tests and a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy is a procedure that removes a small sample of tissue or cells for testing. The tissue sample will be taken from a blood vessel that is swollen.
If you were tested to monitor treatment for autoimmune vasculitis, ANCA test results may show whether your treatment is working. But this test isn't always an accurate way to measure how much disease you have.
If you were tested for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), your provider will consider your ANCA test results along with the results from another antibody blood test. This test checks for an antibody called ASCA (anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies). ASCA are common in people with IBD. You may have:
Ulcerative colitis if ANCA was found, but ASCA was not found.
Crohn's disease if ANCA was not found, but ASCA was found.
If neither antibody was found, you may still have IBD.
If you have questions about your results, talk with your provider.
ANCA/MPO/PR3 Antibodies [accessed on Oct 22, 2018]
ANCA - Clinical: Cytoplasmic Neutrophil Antibodies, Serum [accessed on Oct 22, 2018]
162388: Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibodies (ANCA) | LabCorp [accessed on Oct 22, 2018]
Anti-DsDNA Test
Anti-DsDNA Test
Also called: Anti-double stranded DNA antibody, Double stranded DNA Antibody, Antinative DNA
An anti-double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) test is usually ordered when a test for antinuclear antibodies (ANA) has come back positive. Anti-dsDNA is used to help diagnose and monitor a disease known as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
Anti-DsDNA Test
Also called: Anti-double stranded DNA antibody, Double stranded DNA Antibody, Antinative DNA
An anti-double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) test is usually ordered when a test for antinuclear antibodies (ANA) has come back positive. Anti-dsDNA is used to help diagnose and monitor a disease known as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
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Use the slider below to see how your results affect your
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U/mL
5
9
Your result is Negative.
Testing negative for anti-dsDNA does not rule out the possibility of having systemic lupus erythematosus.
Related conditions
Anti-double stranded DNA antibody (anti-dsDNA) forms part of a group of autoantibodies called antinuclear antibodies (ANA).
Normally, the antibodies’ function is to protect against external agents that could cause harm or infection, such as bacteria, virus, etc. However, autoantibodies mistakenly attack the healthy cells of the person’s body, causing tissue and organ damage.
Anti-dsDNA attacks the genetic material stored in the cells (DNA); hence, the name "anti-dsDNA."
An anti-dsDNA test identifies the presence of these autoantibodies in a sample of your blood.
Your doctor may want to order an anti-dsDNA test if you have signs and symptoms that are compatible with a disease known as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), along with a positive test for antinuclear antibodies (ANA).
This test can also be used to monitor the evolution of SLE.
A small amount of blood will be drawn from a vein in your arm by using a needle.
No fasting or other preparations are needed.
Only the risks related to blood extraction, which are temporary discomfort, bruising, little bleeding, and risk of infection in the place where the needle was inserted.
Normal ranges can vary among different laboratories depending on the technique used for analysis. It can be considered as:
Negative: less than 5 IU/mL
Indeterminate: 5 to 9 IU/mL
Positive: more than 9 IU/mL
The results of an anti-dsDNA test should be considered along with the person's signs and symptoms, medical history, and results of other autoantibody tests. Low Anti-dsDNA levels can be found in different disorders; however, it is strongly indicative of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
SLE is an autoimmune disease where the body attacks its own healthy cells, producing a chronic inflammatory response that can affect various tissues and organs such as the joints, kidneys, lungs, blood vessels, heart, skin, and brain.
You should visit your doctor if you experience symptoms that could be related to SLE, such as:
Persistent fatigue
Weakness
Chest pain when taking a deep breath
Swelling in the legs
Arthritis-like pain in one or more joints
A red rash across your nose and cheeks that resembles the wings of a butterfly
Skin sensitivity to sunlight
Mouth sores
Hair loss
Unexplained weight loss
Anti-dsDNA can result positive in diseases such as chronic liver disease, Sjögren syndrome (an autoimmune disorder), and infectious mononucleosis. It may also test positive in people who are taking drugs such as procainamide and hydralazine.
An antinuclear antibodies (ANA) test is usually indicated before an anti-dsDNA test (which forms part of the ANA group) because if an ANA test is negative, it indicates that the entire group is negative. Therefore, there would be no need to order an anti-dsDNA test separately.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3789337/ [accessed on Mar 21, 2019]
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24533624 [accessed on Mar 21, 2019]
https://www.hopkinslupus.org/lupus-tests/lupus-blood-tests/ [accessed on Mar 21, 2019]
https://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/8178 [accessed on Mar 21, 2019]
https://labtestsonline.org/tests/anti-dsdna [accessed on Mar 21, 2019]
https://www.labcorp.com/test-menu/20086/anti-dsdna-double-stranded-antibodies [accessed on Mar 21, 2019]
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000435.htm [accessed on Mar 21, 2019]
https://www.webmd.com/lupus/systemic-lupus-erythematosus#1 [accessed on Mar 21, 2019]
Normal reference ranges can vary depending on the laboratory and the method used for testing. You must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are "within normal limits."
Additional Materials (4)
Systemic Lupus erythematosus - Research Highlights
Systemic lupus erythematosus, Butterfly rash
Image by National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
Systems Potentially Affected by Lupus
This illustration shows the body systems that are potentially affected by lupus. These are the nervous (central), opthalmologic, dermatologic, hematologic, cardiopulmonary, renal, gastrointestinal, and musculoskeletal systems.
Image by National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health
Symptoms of Lupus
Illustration of common signs and symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus
Image by Mikael Haggstrom
Neurological Sequelae Of Lupus (Fact Sheet)
Systems Potentially Affected by Lupus . This illustration shows the body systems that are potentially affected by lupus. These are the nervous (central), opthalmologic, dermatologic, hematologic, cardiopulmonary, renal, gastrointestinal, and musculoskeletal systems.
Image by Norman Purvis Walker
Systemic Lupus erythematosus - Research Highlights
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
Systems Potentially Affected by Lupus
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health
Thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies are proteins that mistakenly attack the thyroid gland, potentially leading to damage, long-term inflammation (thyroiditis), and disruption of thyroid function.
Thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies are proteins that mistakenly attack the thyroid gland, potentially leading to damage, long-term inflammation (thyroiditis), and disruption of thyroid function.
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Use the slider below to see how your results affect your
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(i.U.)/mL
34
Your result is Normal.
Normal value ranges may vary depending on your age, gender, health history, the method used for the test, among other things.
Related conditions
The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland that is located at the base of your neck. This gland produces certain hormones known as T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine), which are of utmost importance for the maintenance and regulation of the body’s metabolic system, which is a chemical process that regulates the rate at which the body converts food to energy.
Thyroid peroxidase is an enzyme that can be found inside the thyroid cells and, when damage occurs to these cells, the body produces antibodies against this enzyme.
Usually, the function of antibodies is to protect against external agents that could cause harm or infection, such as bacteria, virus, etc. However, autoantibodies mistakenly attack the healthy cells of the person’s body, causing tissue and organ damage. In this case, thyroid peroxidase antibodies lead to long-term inflammation of the thyroid (thyroiditis) and eventual disruption of thyroid function.
A thyroid peroxidase antibody test measures these antibodies in a sample of your blood.
Your doctor may want to order this test to guide treatment or to help diagnose conditions or diseases that affect the thyroid gland, such as:
Hashimoto thyroiditis.
Graves disease.
This test can also be used to help differentiate autoimmune thyroid disorders from nonautoimmune disorders, such as hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).
A needle will be used to take a blood sample from a vein in your arm.
No fasting is needed. You may be asked to stop taking supplements containing vitamin B7 (biotin) for at least 12 hours before the test. Make sure to tell your doctor about any medications that you are taking.
You may feel a little sting when the needle is inserted and extracted but, otherwise, it is a quick procedure. You may also experience bruising and a little bleeding, as well as mild soreness for a short amount of time after the extraction.
Normal value ranges may vary depending on your age, gender, health history, the method used for the test, among other things.
Higher-than-normal levels may be due to:
Hashimoto thyroiditis
Graves' disease
Granulomatous thyroiditis
Other autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren syndrome, or systemic lupus erythematosus, among others.
An abnormal result does not necessarily mean that you have a thyroid condition, but, rather, that you have an increased risk of developing thyroid disease in the future.
Antithyroid microsomal antibody: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia [accessed on Oct 05, 2018]
Thyroid Antibodies [accessed on Oct 05, 2018]
006676: Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) Antibodies | LabCorp [accessed on Oct 05, 2018]
TAB - Clinical: Thyroid Autoantibodies Profile, Serum [accessed on Oct 05, 2018]
TPO - Clinical: Thyroperoxidase (TPO) Antibodies, Serum [accessed on Oct 05, 2018]
Thyroid Autoantibodies Test [accessed on Oct 05, 2018]
Normal reference ranges can vary depending on the laboratory and the method used for testing. You must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are "within normal limits."
Treatment
How Is Sjogren's Syndrome Treated?
Image by Lars Andreas from Oslo, Norway
How Is Sjogren's Syndrome Treated?
Man taking eye drops
Image by Lars Andreas from Oslo, Norway
Treatment of Sjogren's Syndrome
There is no cure for Sjögren’s syndrome, so treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and preventing complications. Treatments are different for each person and will depend on which parts of your body are affected. Your treatment plan will likely include a combination of self-management approaches and over-the-counter and prescription medications. Be sure to tell your doctor which medications you are currently taking because some make eye and mouth dryness worse.
Eye Treatments
Eye drops (artificial tears). There are many different types of eye drops, and you may have to try a few to find the one that works best for you. Some people need prescription eye drops that contain medications to suppress the immune system and reduce inflammation in the eye.
Eye ointments. These are thicker than eye drops and keep the eyes wet for several hours. They can blur your vision, so most people use them while they sleep.
Plugs to block the tear ducts. Small plugs placed in the tear duct in the corners of the eyes block drainage and keep tears in the eyes longer. The procedure only takes a few minutes and is done in an ophthalmologist’s (eye doctor’s) office.
Mouth Treatments
Artificial saliva. Using a saliva substitute prescribed by a doctor helps to make the mouth feel wet.
Saliva production stimulators.These medications cause salivary glands to make more saliva. These medications also stimulate tear production.
Anti-fungal medications. These medications treat fungal infections, such as candidiasis (also called thrush), which are more common in people with dry mouths.
Treatments for Other Problems Related to Sjögren’s Syndrome
Over-the-counter or prescribed pain relievers. These medicines alleviate joint and muscle pain, and discomfort from swollen glands.
Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and anti-malarial drugs are often prescribed in people with joint pain, rashes, and other serious effects of the disease. While these medicines have not specifically been approved for Sjögren’s syndrome, they may be helpful in some people with the disorder.
Corticosteroids. These medications help control inflammation and pain. Because they are potent drugs, your doctor will prescribe the lowest dose possible to achieve the desired benefit. They are usually reserved for people with rare, serious effects of the disorder.
Acid reflux medications. Reduced saliva production may raise the stomach’s acidity in people with Sjögren’s syndrome. Some people may take these medicines to counteract this effect.
Source: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Additional Materials (3)
Hyperbaric Treatment Sjogren's Syndrome
Hyperbaric_Treatment_Sjogren's_Syndrome
Image by Intermedichbo/Wikimedia
Sjögren’s Syndrome - Treatment | Johns Hopkins
Video by Johns Hopkins Rheumatology/YouTube
Sjogren's: A Place to Begin - Part 2: Management & Treatment of Sjogren's
Video by SjogrensFnd/YouTube
Hyperbaric Treatment Sjogren's Syndrome
Intermedichbo/Wikimedia
6:16
Sjögren’s Syndrome - Treatment | Johns Hopkins
Johns Hopkins Rheumatology/YouTube
6:40
Sjogren's: A Place to Begin - Part 2: Management & Treatment of Sjogren's
SjogrensFnd/YouTube
Who Treats
Ophthalmologist
Image by U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kasey Close
Ophthalmologist
Lt. Eva Chou, an ophthalmologist from Hacienda Heights, Calif., exams a patient at a medical clinic in Sagrado Corzon de Jesus School during a Continuing Promise medical community service project. Continuing Promise is a five-month humanitarian assistance mission to the Caribbean, Central and South America.
Image by U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kasey Close
Who Treats Sjögren’s Syndrome?
Sjögren’s syndrome is primarily treated by:
Rheumatologists, doctors who treat diseases of the joints, muscles, and bones. Rheumatologists are also specialists in autoimmune diseases.
Other specialists who may be involved in your care include:
Dentists, who care for your gums and teeth.
Mental health professionals, who can help people cope with difficulties in the home and workplace that may result from their medical conditions.
Nephrologists, who treat kidney disease problems.
Neurologists, who specialize in treating diseases of the nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord.
Ophthalmologists, who specialize in the care of the eyes.
Otolaryngologists, who specialize in caring for the ears, nose, and throat.
Primary care doctors, such as family physicians or internal medicine specialists, who coordinate care between the different health care providers and treat other problems as they arise.
Pulmonologists, who specialize in treating diseases of the lungs.
Source: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Additional Materials (1)
Sjogren’s Syndrome ("Dry Eye Syndrome") | Primary vs. Secondary, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment
Video by JJ Medicine/YouTube
5:27
Sjogren’s Syndrome ("Dry Eye Syndrome") | Primary vs. Secondary, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment
JJ Medicine/YouTube
Living With
Teeth cleaning
Image by U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Kevin Iinuma
Teeth cleaning
Tech. Sgt. Claudia Holcomb, 59th Dental Squadron certified registered dental hygienist, cleans a patient’s teeth at the Dunn Dental Clinic, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, Oct. 8, 2015. The American Dental Association advises people with diabetes to seek more frequent cleanings and maintain a good oral hygiene regimen. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Kevin Iinuma)
Image by U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Kevin Iinuma
Living with Sjögren's Syndrome
The symptoms of Sjögren’s syndrome can largely be managed, and most people can expect to live a normal life. The following tips can make living with Sjögren’s syndrome easier.
Caring for your eyes.
Protect your eyes from drafts, breezes, and smoky rooms.
Have your glasses fitted with shields on the sides, or use wraparound glasses.
Do not use eye drops that irritate your eyes. If one brand or prescription bothers you, try another. Eye drops that do not contain preservatives are usually essential if you use them four or more times per day on a regular basis.
Put humidifiers in the rooms where you spend the most time, including the bedroom, or install a humidifier in your heating and air conditioning unit.
If you get blepharitis (eyelid inflammation), use warm compresses on your eyes to alleviate the discomfort. You may also gently wash the eyelids with a dilute solution of a mild detergent such as baby shampoo.
Caring for your mouth.
Brush and floss your teeth regularly. There are toothpastes designed for people with dry mouths. Most people should use toothpaste with fluoride to help prevent cavities.
Carry a water bottle and sip on it throughout the day to keep your mouth moist. Keeping hydrated will also help combat dry eyes.
Chewing gum or sucking on hard candy helps your glands make more saliva. Try to use sugar-free gum and candy.
Visit a dentist at least twice a year to have your teeth examined and cleaned. Ask your dentist about fluoride treatments.
See your doctor or dentist if you have symptoms of candidiasis (also called thrush), such as burning, soreness, and white patches inside your mouth.
Managing other Sjögren’s syndrome-related symptoms.
Moisturize other dry areas.
For dry skin, moisturize your skin regularly, especially with products made for extra dry skin.
Use lip balms, such as those containing petroleum jelly, for dry lips.
Use products such as vaginal moisturizers or estrogen creams for vaginal dryness.
Use saline sprays to help with dry nose.
Educate yourself and get support.
Learn as much as you can about the syndrome and talk with others who are dealing with it by joining a support group. Having a support network can help you manage difficult times.
Having a long-term condition can be challenging, so visit a mental health professional if emotional problems arise.
Maintain a healthy weight and watch what you eat to help control acid reflux. Eat slowly and avoid common triggers such as fried and fatty foods, tomato sauce, and onions.
Eat a healthy and balanced diet, and exercise regularly to help combat fatigue and to help you sleep better. Check with your doctor before beginning an exercise routine.
Remember to visit your health care providers regularly and to follow their recommendations.
Source: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Joan Manny suffered for years before she was diagnosed with Sjögren's syndrome and now supports others with the condition.
Image by Joan Manny
Joan Manny suffered for years before she was diagnosed with Sjögren's syndrome and now supports others with the condition.
Joan Manny suffered for years before she was diagnosed with Sjögren's syndrome and now supports others with the condition.
Image by Joan Manny
Thriving with Sjögren’s Syndrome
79-year-old Joan Manny feels healthier than ever
For decades, 79-year-old Joan Manny of Brookeville, Maryland, suffered from a variety of seemingly unconnected symptoms.
In her teens and 20s, she had swelling in her parotid glands, which are located on both sides of the face. At the time, doctors thought it was mumps. She also developed petechiae, which are round spots on the skin resembling a rash.
Later, Joan was diagnosed with vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels. These flare-ups, she says, would last a few days, go away, and then reappear. She also suffered from joint pain, dental problems, and dry eyes.
"Having dry eyes made me very sensitive to sunlight and bright lights," Joan says. "I remember wearing two pairs of sunglasses when I was driving because one just wasn't enough."
A common thread
It wasn't until she was in her 30s—after numerous doctor visits—that Joan finally got a diagnosis for all her symptoms: Sjögren's syndrome.
"I remember wearing two pairs of sunglasses when I was driving because one just wasn't enough."
- Joan Manny
This autoimmune disease attacks the glands that make tears and saliva. It causes dry eyes and dry mouth, and it can affect other parts of the body, including blood vessels, joints, and nerves. Because symptoms vary and affect people differently, getting a diagnosis can take time.
"Back in the 1960s, doctors didn't know much about Sjögren's syndrome," Joan says. "I had to look it up in a medical dictionary, and there were only a few paragraphs about it. Most physicians weren't aware of it."
She spent the next several decades on various medications to manage her symptoms. Today, she only uses eye drops and saliva substitutes to maintain moisture in the areas where Sjögren's affects her the most.
"I'm healthier today than I was in my 30s, 40s, and 50s," she says. "My bloodwork was abnormal during those years, but it is normal now."
Connecting with others
During her treatment, Joan became active in the Sjögren's syndrome community and led a support group for others who had been diagnosed with the condition. Members of the group could talk about their symptoms and rely on each other for support, which Joan says was essential to helping her cope.
"You realize that you're not the only one who has the problem," she notes. "It was also interesting because when we met and talked about our symptoms, no two people ever had the same ones."
Finding an understanding and thorough doctor was important on her path to a diagnosis, she says.
"Keep a list of your health problems and symptoms, and when they occur," she suggests. "It's important to figure out what's causing the problem and what might make your symptoms better or worse."
Staying positive
Joan says that it's also important to keep a positive attitude as you navigate diagnosis and treatment.
"I'm an optimist and like to look at the positive things in life," she says. "I could complain, but I have a husband and two daughters, and several friends I've met through the support group, who, 30 years later, are still my best friends."
Source: NIH MedlinePlus Magazine
Prognosis
Dry lips and mouth
Image by Anemone123/Pixabay
Dry lips and mouth
Dry lips and mouth
Image by Anemone123/Pixabay
What Is the Long-Term Outlook for People with Sjogren Syndrome?
Most people with Sjogren syndrome have limited symptoms such as dry eyes and dry mouth. Their general health and life expectancy are largely unaffected. Increased mortality may be related to conditions associated with Sjogren syndrome, such as systemic lupus erythematous (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or primary biliary cirrhosis. People with Sjogren syndrome who don't develop a lymphoproliferative disorder can generally expect to have a normal life span.
Source: Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
Additional Materials (3)
Sjogren's: A Place to Begin - Part 3: Personal Experience: Estrella
Video by SjogrensFnd/YouTube
Sjogren's: A Place to Begin - Part 4: Personal Experience: Cathy
Video by SjogrensFnd/YouTube
Sjogren's: A Place to Begin - Part 5: Personal Experience: Nancy
Video by SjogrensFnd/YouTube
4:21
Sjogren's: A Place to Begin - Part 3: Personal Experience: Estrella
SjogrensFnd/YouTube
3:25
Sjogren's: A Place to Begin - Part 4: Personal Experience: Cathy
SjogrensFnd/YouTube
5:05
Sjogren's: A Place to Begin - Part 5: Personal Experience: Nancy
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Sjögren Syndrome
Sjögren’s syndrome is a chronic (long-lasting) disorder that happens when the immune system attacks the glands that make moisture in the eyes, mouth, and other parts of the body. The most common symptoms are dry eyes and dry mouth. While there is no cure, there are several ways to treat and relieve the symptoms. Learn how.