Scleroderma Information » Scleroderma » ANA and Anti-SCL-70 tests
Question:
Can anyone point me to a source of verifiable information on this subject? I see ANA and Anti-SCL-70 mentioned over and over, and it often appears the terms are used interchangeably or at least in tandem. It was my understanding that they are two entirely different laboratory tests. If they are different, why precisely is the Anti-SCL-70 done? What does the doctor hope to find? What are the laboratory values associated with the test insofar as "normal" and what does an aberrant value indicate, if anything? If, for example, an ANA result is 1280 and the Anti-SCL-70 result is negative, what does it mean? Is an abnormal value on the Anti-SCL-70 plus a positive (>360) ANA conclusive as to diagnosis? If the Anti-SCL-70 is "positive," what does that indicate in terms of disease manifestations?
Response:
Hi! My limited (and unofficial) knowledge of this subject is — If you have a positive SCL-70 it indicates that you have the diffuse type of Scleroderma. If the SCL-70 is negative and the ANA anticentemere(sp?) is positive, it indicated that you have the CREST or limited version. I’m not familiar with the testing for the linear form. This topic was discussed on one of the Scleroderma websites — which I can’t recall right now, but I’ll look for you. Hope this was helpful. Take Care, Angie
no comment untill now