How was your Scleroderma diagnosed?

[dacharya]

If you have Scleroderma then I would like to know how your Scleroderma is diagnosed? Was it confirmed from the blood test?

[MissusTee]

from a mixture of symptoms and blood tests. Took 10 years for me in the 90’s despite a gangrenous finger ulcer!

[dacharya in reply to MissusTee]

Which blood test confirmed that you have Scleroderma?

[MissusTee in reply to dacharya]

ANA anti centromere.

[dacharya in reply to MissusTee]

In your blood report how much was you ANA and centromere levels and did it cross the limit?

[MissusTee in reply to dacharya]

It was at the highest titre measurable which is 1:2560

[dacharya in reply to MissusTee]

I don't get it. What is the maximum limit on your report and why is it showing as a ratio of 1:2560? What does it mean?

[MissusTee in reply to dacharya]

It demonstrates the antibody levels so I have very high anti centromere antibody levels in my blood tests.

[dacharya in reply to MissusTee]

So, what should be the normal range according to the report and how much high was yours?

[MissusTee in reply to dacharya]

Normal is 1:40 and under. So mine is very much higher.

[dacharya in reply to MissusTee]

Could you ask your doctor whether one can still have Scleroderma if the levels are within the limit?

[MissusTee in reply to dacharya]

You can but it’s rare.

[Kefaloniadreams]

Hi. I was diagnosed by deep biopsies into my arm and leg.

[dacharya in reply to Kefaloniadreams]

In which hospital it was done and was it painful?

[StormySky]

Mine was diagnosed really quickly, within 2-3 months of onset of symptoms. Symptoms at presentation: rash up legs, peeling skin around eyes and mouth, swollen, black hands (sufficiently swollen there was little movement in them, even when I concentrated really hard on trying to get them to move), deep lesions to skin on palms, fingers and heels with like a crust of thickened skin in those areas, weak muscles in forearms and hands. It was a very experienced dermatologist who suspected it and ordered a blood test which found positive ANA, presence of SCl/PM antibodies and high inflammatory markers (I had a skin biopsy above the area of the rash which didn't show much). Diagnosis confirmed by a rheumatologist around a year later, by which time I had developed Raynaud's and obvious nailfold capillary abnormality (can see them with the naked eye). Initially, no, I did not feel particularly unwell and I did not have pain in my joints, etc, although my hands felt a bit sore. Rash was very itchy though. Biopsy was quite sore, but tolerable. I don't think the local worked when they took it, but I asked them to just carry on anyway as I just wanted it over with! Stitches just got itchy before I asked someone to take them out.