Blood tests?

[angiebv]

Hi, would anyone be able to tell me if a full blood count, thyroid etc tests would be able to detect Scleroderma. just a little concerned i may suffer and have been for a number of years. Was diagnosed with Raynaud's around 12 years ago.

Thank you.

[Yorky]

Hello, I think the blood test you need is an anti-nuclear antibody test. Perhaps someone else can confirm this. Best of luck, hope it is not positive.

[Yorky]

Hello again, on second thought it might be anti-centromere antibody test. Someone help me out please.

[Hidden]

Anti centromere antibody is part of the anti nuclear 'family', and it shows a possibility of limited systemic sclerosis. Scl70 in another antibody test, and this shows a tendency for diffuse scleroderma which is more serious. You would need to ask for an autoimmune profile.

[angiebv]

oh ok fantastic thanks but am I right in thinking that if the Dr checked my liver function that it would show anything like that up?

[Hidden]

No - thats a liver function test, you need an autoimmune profile, they dont test for everything it costs too much! Different blood tests for different things!

[LynnCox]

My GP did the basic blood tests (FBC, U&Es, TSH) but the rheumatologist did different and more specific blood tests. I think they were ANA and anti-centromere.

[Rach18]

If you are concerned that there may be something underlying your Raynauds definitely press your GP for a referral to a Rheumatologist who specialises in Raynauds/Scleroderma and get the right blood tests done, these should be for specific antibodies which will give either a positive or negative result. Don't be fobbed off with blood tests for iron, thyroid, liver function or anything else, these are not what you need.

I've had Raynauds's for 20 years, the last few of which I've been worrying that my symptoms have been getting worse. Only after numerous visits to the GP have I finally managed to get the correct referral and tests done, which have come back with a positive anticentromere antibody, confirmining that I have CREST. If these tests had been done earlier I would have been able to get the correct advice and treatment much sooner and saved myself a lot of worry.

Good luck, I hope that you get the help and reassurance that you need.