Not just antibodies: If the scl-70 titer is 3, as you wrote, it falls within the normal range and is not positive. More importantly, scleroderma is not diagnosed on the basis of antibody studies, but rather clinical findings such as skin thickening, raynaud's phenomenon, lung fibrosis, or pulmonary hypertension. A certain percentage of scleroderma patients are even negative for ana.
Answered 6/9/2013
5.1k views
Antibodies & disease: Healthy people may have low level antibodies. That's why there is a range of normal from 0 to 40 in this case. Low levels (negative) antibodies doesn't mean you have the disorder. There are criteria for diagnosis of each rheumatologic disorder. That said, there are also overlap syndromes like mixed connective tissue disease that can have features of several conditions. Talk to your rheumatologist.
Answered 6/9/2013
5.1k views
A doctor has provided 1 answer
A doctor has provided 1 answer
A doctor has provided 1 answer
A doctor has provided 1 answer
6 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more.
Ask your question