Blood results and Centromere

[purpleknitter99]

My doctor said I have CREST based on blood results and I am awaiting a Rheumatology appointment. U1RNP ab is 6.8 u/ml and normal is under 5 u/ml. The Centromere PB Ab is over 240.0 u/ml with normal being under 7 u/ml. Can anyone tell me if these figures indicate how long I might have the condition or how advanced it might be . Am curious ... Thanks a mill.

[LucyJean]

Hi there, these blood results come from the AntiNuclearAntibody test (ANAs). They indicate what type of connective tissue you might have. In general, Centromere is associated with Limited Systemic Sclerosis (what used to be called CREST) and Scl-70 is associated with Diffuse Systemic Sclerosis. The number indicates how strongly positive you are. In this instance your RNP (which is associated with mixed connective tissue disease) is very weakly positive, whereas the Centromere is strongly positive. It does not have anything to do with how long you have had the disease, or how bad you will have it, or how long it will last. It just tells you, you have it.Hope that makes sense.

Lucy xxx

[purpleknitter99 in reply to LucyJean]

Thank you very much Lucy. That is really helpful. You seem very knowledgeable so if I may ask your opinion on another query ? I got full heart block two years ago and there were no usual reasons to cause it . Now that I know I have limited I am wondering if it might have caused conduction damage. I have Raunauds and other symptoms formant years. Thanks again. M

[LucyJean in reply to purpleknitter99]

Hi there, I am by no means an expert on this. But from my experience heart block is not a common manifestation of scleroderma, but that doesn't mean that it can't be linked with it. You might be one of those rare exceptions. The Limited form of scleroderma is usually associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension. And diffuse more linked with fibrosis of the heart tissue. The commonest causes of heart block according to the British Heart Foundation are listed on there website. bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

This is where you want a Consultant who is a specialist in this field. Maybe there is a cardiologist linked to the scleroderma team at the Royal Free.

As long as they are keeping a good eye on you that is the main thing.

Al my best

Lucy xx

[purpleknitter99 in reply to LucyJean]

Good morning Lucy. I checked the link you gave and have none of the issues which can cause heart block....except the age related deterioration as am 73 yrs. So perhaps a combination of both ? Important thing is I have my little device which is keeping the ticker going steadily. I guess the important thing now is to keep an eye on the pulmonary department. Thanks Lucy for your help and sound advice. Marie