14-3-3 eta is a protein released from inflamed joint tissue. It acts as a pro-inflammatory mediator and is implicated in the erosive joint damage seen in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Levels can be elevated in both early and established RA.
Why 14-3-3 eta is tested
RA can be challenging to diagnose early. Traditional markers like Rheumatoid Factor (RF) and Anti-CCP (Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide) antibodies help—but they’re not positive in everyone, especially early on. Serum 14-3-3 eta adds diagnostic sensitivity, helping identify patients who might otherwise be missed.
-
Diagnostic value: 14-3-3 eta is highly specific for RA. In early disease, it can provide about a 15% incremental detection benefit on top of RF and Anti-CCP—meaning ~15% more early RA patients may be identified when this marker is included alongside those tests.
-
Disease activity & prognosis: Positive 14-3-3 eta is associated with higher rates of radiographic joint damage (e.g., Sharp/van der Heijde scoring). Levels ≥ 0.50 ng/mL have been linked to more rapid radiographic progression, even in patients who appear clinically quiet (e.g., in SDAI remission).
How to interpret results for 14-3-3 eta
-
Within reference (< 0.20 ng/mL):
This is considered negative. A value in range does not rule out RA, especially if symptoms (joint pain, morning stiffness, swelling) persist. Your clinician will weigh this result with symptoms, exam, imaging, and other labs (RF, Anti-CCP, CRP, ESR). -
Elevated (≥ 0.20 ng/mL):
Supports an RA diagnosis when considered with clinical findings.-
≥ 0.50 ng/mL: Signals higher risk for faster joint damage progression on imaging, even if you’re feeling relatively well. This level may prompt closer monitoring and a discussion about earlier or more targeted therapy.
-
What affects the result of 14-3-3 eta
14-3-3 eta reflects joint-derived inflammation and erosive activity. Levels may shift with disease activity and treatment response. Your provider may trend this marker over time together with clinical scores (e.g., SDAI, DAS28) and imaging.
What to do next
-
If elevated:
-
Discuss results promptly with your rheumatologist.
-
Ask whether your current treatment plan adequately addresses progression risk, especially if ≥ 0.50 ng/mL.
-
Consider combining this marker with RF, Anti-CCP, CRP, ESR, and (when appropriate) ultrasound or X-ray to establish a baseline and monitor change.
-
-
If in range but symptoms persist:
-
A negative result doesn’t exclude RA. Keep a symptom diary (duration of morning stiffness, swollen joints, fatigue).
-
Follow up for a full work-up: exam, imaging, and complementary labs.
-
Related tests
-
RF and Anti-CCP antibodies: Core RA serologies.
-
Imaging: Ultrasound, X-ray/MRI for erosions and synovitis.
-
Composite indices: SDAI, DAS28 to track control over time.
Key evidence
-
Early detection benefit: Adding 14-3-3 eta to RF and Anti-CCP improves early RA detection by ~15%.
-
Radiographic risk: Positive 14-3-3 eta correlates with higher radiographic damage; ≥ 0.50 ng/mL predicts faster progression, even in SDAI remission.
Notes: This test was developed and analytically validated by the performing laboratory (e.g., Labcorp) and may not be FDA-cleared; it is used for clinical decision-making under applicable regulations. Results should be interpreted by a qualified clinician.
References
-
Carrier N, et al. Arthritis Res Ther. 2016;18:37.
-
Maksymowych WP, et al. Arthritis Res Ther. 2014;16:R99.
All Your Lab Results.
One Simple Dashboard.
Import, Track, and Share Your Lab Results Easily
Import, Track, and Share Your Lab Results
Import lab results from multiple providers, track changes over time, customize your reference ranges, and get clear explanations for each result. Everything is stored securely, exportable in one organized file, and shareable with your doctor—or anyone you choose.
Cancel or upgrade anytime
Laboratories
Bring All Your Lab Results Together — In One Place
We accept reports from any lab, so you can easily collect and organize all your health information in one secure spot.
Pricing Table
Gather Your Lab History — and Finally Make Sense of It
Finally, Your Lab Results Organized and Clear
Personal plans
$79/ year
Advanced Plan
Access your lab reports, explanations, and tracking tools.
- Import lab results from any provider
- Track all results with visual tools
- Customize your reference ranges
- Export your full lab history anytime
- Share results securely with anyone
- Receive 5 reports entered for you
- Cancel or upgrade anytime
$250/ once
Unlimited Account
Pay once, access everything—no monthly fees, no limits.
- Import lab results from any provider
- Track all results with visual tools
- Customize your reference ranges
- Export your full lab history anytime
- Share results securely with anyone
- Receive 10 reports entered for you
- No subscriptions. No extra fees.
$45/ month
Pro Monthly
Designed for professionals managing their clients' lab reports
- Import lab results from any provider
- Track lab results for multiple clients
- Customize reference ranges per client
- Export lab histories and reports
- Begin with first report entered by us
- Cancel or upgrade anytime
About membership
What's included in a Healthmatters membership
Import Lab Results from Any Source
See Your Health Timeline
Understand What Your Results Mean
Visualize Your Results
Data Entry Service for Your Reports
Securely Share With Anyone You Trust
Let Your Lab Results Tell the Full Story
Once your results are in one place, see the bigger picture — track trends over time, compare data side by side, export your full history, and share securely with anyone you trust.
Bring all your results together to compare, track progress, export your history, and share securely.
What Healthmatters Members Are Saying
Frequently asked questions
Healthmatters is a personal health dashboard that helps you organize and understand your lab results. It collects and displays your medical test data from any lab in one secure, easy-to-use platform.
- Individuals who want to track and understand their health over time.
- Health professionals, such as doctors, nutritionists, and wellness coaches, need to manage and interpret lab data for their clients.
With a Healthmatters account, you can:
- Upload lab reports from any lab
- View your data in interactive graphs, tables, and timelines
- Track trends and monitor changes over time
- Customize your reference ranges
- Export and share your full lab history
- Access your results anytime, from any device
Professionals can also analyze client data more efficiently and save time managing lab reports.
Healthmatters.io personal account provides in-depth research on 10000+ biomarkers, including information and suggestions for test panels such as, but not limited to:
- The GI Effects® Comprehensive Stool Profile,
- GI-MAP,
- The NutrEval FMV®,
- The ION Profile,
- Amino Acids Profile,
- Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones (DUTCH),
- Organic Acids Test,
- Organix Comprehensive Profile,
- Toxic Metals,
- Complete Blood Count (CBC),
- Metabolic panel,
- Thyroid panel,
- Lipid Panel,
- Urinalysis,
- And many, many more.
You can combine all test reports inside your Healthmatters account and keep them in one place. It gives you an excellent overview of all your health data. Once you retest, you can add new results and compare them.
If you are still determining whether Healthmatters support your lab results, the rule is that if you can test it, you can upload it to Healthmatters.
We implement proven measures to keep your data safe.
At HealthMatters, we're committed to maintaining the security and confidentiality of your personal information. We've put industry-leading security standards in place to help protect against the loss, misuse, or alteration of the information under our control. We use procedural, physical, and electronic security methods designed to prevent unauthorized people from getting access to this information. Our internal code of conduct adds additional privacy protection. All data is backed up multiple times a day and encrypted using SSL certificates. See our Privacy Policy for more details.