Yes, a blood test can be done to diagnose systemic sclerosis. While there is no single test to diagnose systemic sclerosis, several tests can be used to help diagnose the condition. A blood test called an ANA test (antinuclear antibody test) may be used.
This test looks for antibodies that are associated with autoimmune diseases such as systemic sclerosis. Other tests may include looking for levels of certain proteins or enzymes that are lowered in people with systemic sclerosis.
These tests can be used to help diagnose the condition and rule out other conditions that may have similar symptoms.
Table of Contents
What labs are abnormal with scleroderma?
Scleroderma is an autoimmune disorder that affects the body’s connective tissues. Abnormal lab results can provide valuable information about the severity and progression of this condition. Common lab tests that are used to diagnose scleroderma include a complete blood count (CBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), antinuclear antibody (ANA) titer, and rheumatoid factor (RF) test.
Additionally, blood chemistry tests may be performed to assess kidney and liver function.
In people with scleroderma, CBC results may show lower levels of red blood cells and hemoglobin. Additionally, there may be an increase in the size of white blood cells and platelets. The ESR test measures levels of proteins in the blood, and abnormally high levels can indicate inflammation or autoimmune activity.
ANA titer detects levels of antinuclear antibodies, which are present in many autoimmune disorders, including scleroderma. Lastly, the RF test measures levels of rheumatoid factor, which are usually elevated in people with scleroderma.
The results of these tests can provide important clues about the severity and progression of a person’s condition. Knowing the abnormal lab results will guide treatment and allow the physician to monitor changes in the patient’s condition.
How is systemic scleroderma diagnosed?
Systemic scleroderma is typically diagnosed with a combination of physical exams, lab tests, and imaging tests. During the physical exam, a doctor may look for signs of hardening and thickening of the skin, joint pain and stiffness, swollen fingers or toes, Raynaud’s phenomenon, and any other symptoms that are present.
Lab tests involve taking a sample of blood, urine, or saliva to measure for an increased number of certain antibodies and other markers that may indicate scleroderma. Imaging tests, such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs, can also be used to look for areas of hardened or thickened skin or connective tissue or assess organ damage that may have occurred.
Other tests that a doctor may take include a bronchoscopy, biopsy, or echocardiogram. These tests help to give a definitive diagnosis of systemic scleroderma and help the doctor determine the extent of the condition and any treatments that may be needed.
Does scleroderma show up in blood work?
Yes, it is possible for scleroderma to show up in blood work, although it is not a specified test. This is because activity of the immune system is usually increased in people with scleroderma and specialized tests to measure the activity of the immune system can indicate the presence of scleroderma.
As an example, antinuclear antibody (ANA) tests, which measure the presence of antibodies in the blood, may be ordered in order to diagnose scleroderma. Additionally, a rheumatoid factor (RF) test may be run as well, since scleroderma is a rheumatic disease.
Other tests that could be used in evaluating a person with symptoms of scleroderma include C-reactive protein (CRP) tests, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) tests, and radioallergosorbent tests (RASTs).
If there is abnormal activity in any of these tests, it could indicate the presence of scleroderma. Thus, while it is not a specific test for scleroderma, blood work can be used to diagnose the condition.
What are the markers for scleroderma?
The markers for scleroderma depend on the type and severity of the condition. Generally, the markers for scleroderma can include:
• Hardening and thickening of the skin: Skin can become thick, stiff, and tight, resulting in a tightening and hardening of the skin. This can be especially noticeable on the face, hands, and feet.
• Joint pain and stiffness: Joints affected by scleroderma can become swollen and painful, leading to difficulty when trying to move.
• Swelling in the fingers and toes: Scleroderma can cause swelling in the hands and feet, which can lead to pain and difficulty when moving the affected areas.
• Raynaud’s phenomenon: Raynaud’s phenomenon causes the fingers and toes to change color in response to cold or stress. This can range from bright white to deep blue or an intense red.
• Trouble swallowing: As scleroderma progresses, plenty of people experience difficulty swallowing.
• Muscle weakness: There can be weakness in the muscles, leading to difficulty when completing everyday tasks.
• Basal joint inflammation: People with scleroderma can sometimes have inflammation of the basal joints, leading to warmth, redness, and swelling in the first joints of the fingers or toes.
• Calcium deposits: Calcium build-up can occur around joints, leading to pain and discomfort.
• Gastrointestinal trouble: Scleroderma can also cause problems within the gastrointestinal tract, such as constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and nausea.
What is the pathologic hallmark of scleroderma?
The pathologic hallmark of scleroderma is the accumulation of collagen and other extracellular materials in the skin, leading to skin thickening and tightness, as well as organ involvement associated with fibrosis.
The fibrotic changes that occur with scleroderma can affect nearly any area of the body, including the skin, lungs, heart, gastrointestinal tract, and kidneys. The skin can become thick, tight, and painful, often resulting in limited joint range of motion and the development of calcinosis.
The contracted skin can also be associated with hypopigmentation (loss of skin color). In addition, the changes in skin can cause joint contractures, especially in the hands, leading to restricted motion, tightness, and deformities.
In the lungs, fibrosis can lead to restrictive lung disease and a condition called pulmonary hypertension. Cardiac fibrosis can lead to cardiac valve dysfunction, atrial fibrillation, and congestive heart failure.
The gastrointestinal tract can become fibrotic and can lead to dysphagia (difficult or painful swallowing), intestinal obstruction, and motility abnormalities. Fibrotic changes in the kidney are most commonly associated with renal crisis and the development of renal failure.
Is CRP elevated in scleroderma?
Yes, CRP (C-reactive protein) levels are often elevated in people with scleroderma. Scleroderma is an autoimmune disorder that causes hardening and thickening of the skin and other organs. It is associated with inflammation, and increased levels of CRP are a sign of this.
CRP is a protein produced by the liver in response to inflammation, and high levels of CRP can be used to help diagnose and monitor scleroderma. In addition, high levels of CRP are used to indicate flare-ups of scleroderma.
This can help doctors provide appropriate treatment and manage symptoms. In general, higher levels of CRP in scleroderma may be indicative of a more severe form of the disorder.
Does scleroderma cause a high CRP?
Scleroderma is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by the hardening of the skin and connective tissues, and it can cause inflammation throughout the body. Depending on the severity and type of scleroderma, some individuals may have high CRP (C-reactive protein) levels.
CRP is a protein produced by the liver that rises when inflammation is present in the body. C synthesis The presence of high CRP in patients with scleroderma indicates that there is an ongoing inflammatory process in the body.
Elevated CRP levels can be used to help evaluate the level of inflammation and the effectiveness of treatment for scleroderma. Research suggests that CRP levels in patients with scleroderma can vary depending on the type of scleroderma, the presence of extra-articular manifestations such as pulmonary disease, and the severity of the illness.
Thus, it is important for physicians to monitor individual levels of CRP to determine the effectiveness of interventions and determine the best course of action.
What can mimic systemic scleroderma?
Systemic scleroderma, or systemic sclerosis, is a rare autoimmune disease that primarily affects the connective tissue, most commonly on the skin and internal organs. It can be difficult to diagnose as its symptoms can mimic other conditions.
In some cases, the root cause of the symptoms may not be immune-related, but instead be due to other etiologies. These conditions that can mimic systemic scleroderma are referred to as scleroderma-like syndromes.
The most common scleroderma-like syndromes are eosinophilic fasciitis, environmental and medication-induced systemic sclerosis, and overlap syndrome. Eosinophilic fasciitis is a rare disorder characterized by a very thick and hard skin with extreme pain and swelling of the limbs.
This disease is relatively rare and is typically only seen in adults and children over four years of age. Environmental and medication-induced systemic sclerosis is caused by various environmental exposures or medications and can be quite difficult to diagnose due to the varied etiologies.
Lastly, overlap syndrome is an autoimmune disease that combines features of two or more autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic scleroderma.
While these diseases have similar symptoms to systemic scleroderma, it is important to be aware that they are distinct entities with distinct etiologies. Therefore, it is essential to accurately diagnose and properly treat the underlying condition to ensure better outcomes and improve the overall quality of life.
Can scleroderma be detected in blood test results?
Yes, scleroderma can be detected in blood test results. Blood tests used to diagnose scleroderma include antibody tests (for antinuclear antibodies and Scl-70 antibodies), sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, rheumatoid factor, and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies.
These tests measure the levels of certain proteins that can help identify autoimmune diseases such as scleroderma. Other blood tests can be used to help assess organ involvement and damage, including liver function tests and serum creatinine levels (the level of a waste product from the kidneys).
Imaging tests such as x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or ultrasound may also be used to look for any changes that may suggest its presence. Finally, a biopsy may be performed to confirm the diagnosis.
What were your first symptoms of scleroderma?
My first symptoms of scleroderma were a tingling sensation and swelling in my hands, starting in my fingers and slowly moving up my arms. I also noticed that it would take longer for my hands and feet to warm up when I was in colder temperatures.
I had difficulty making a fist and subtle changes in the appearance of my fingers like skin tightening, discoloration, and changes in nail shape. My fingers also had a tendency to become stiff, especially in the morning, making it difficult to perform basic functions.
I began experiencing numbness, a burning sensation, and extreme fatigue. I had persistent fatigue that made everyday tasks difficult and impacted my work and daily life. In addition, I experienced gastrointestinal issues, including heartburn, bloating, and difficulty digesting food.
I also had a dry cough that wouldn’t go away and silent reflux which caused me to wake up in the middle of the night.
Is scleroderma hard to diagnose?
Yes, scleroderma can be difficult to diagnose, as many of its symptoms are similar to those of other diseases and its causes are often unknown. According to Medical News Today, scleroderma is often associated with symptoms such as joint pain, fatigue, muscle weakness, and Raynaud’s phenomenon, which are all common symptoms in many other diseases as well.
Additionally, its causes are not as clearly understood as other autoimmune diseases, making it difficult to know exactly what is causing someone’s symptoms. Due to the complex nature of the disease, diagnosis often requires multiple tests and further investigation.
In some cases, it can take over a year for a scleroderma diagnosis to be confirmed.
Where does scleroderma usually start?
Scleroderma usually starts in the connective tissues of the skin, which may cause tightening and thickening of the skin. It can also cause changes to the deeper structures such as small blood vessels, muscles, bones, and internal organs.
It is most commonly seen in the hands, face, and joints, but can also occur in other areas of the body depending on the type of scleroderma. The exact cause of scleroderma is still unknown, but factors may include genetics and environmental exposures.
How do I know if I have systemic scleroderma?
If you’re concerned that you may have systemic scleroderma, it is important to consult with your doctor. They will be able to perform a physical examination and review your medical history to determine if further tests are needed.
Some of the tests they may conduct include a complete blood count (CBC), urinalysis, antinuclear antibodies test, C-reactive protein test, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) test. Your doctor may also order an imaging test such as an x-ray or CT scan.
In some cases, your doctor may refer you to a rheumatologist for further evaluation. To diagnose systemic scleroderma, the rheumatologist typically completes a physical exam and blood tests for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA), anticentromere antibodies, and anti-SCL-70 antibodies.
They may also order special imaging studies, such as skin biopsy, gastrointestinal tests, and pulmonary tests.
If systemic scleroderma is suspected, it is important to receive the proper diagnosis from a healthcare professional. Making it important to have your symptoms and medical history evaluated by a medical professional.
What ANA pattern is associated with scleroderma?
The antinuclear antibody (ANA) pattern most commonly associated with scleroderma is the centromere pattern. This pattern is also associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren’s syndrome, and mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD).
It is less commonly associated with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS), drug-induced lupus, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and primary biliary cirrhosis.
The centromere pattern is characterized by the presence of multiple granular or speckled particulate nuclear staining. In most cases, this pattern is difficult to distinguish by light microscopy, but it is more easily identified by immunofluorescence.
This pattern is detected in 90-95% of patients with systemic sclerosis, while the perinuclear (or ‘homogenous’) pattern is seen in only 20% of cases.
The ANA test is not a definitive test for scleroderma, since it is not specific for the condition. Positive results may be seen in other autoimmune and non-autoimmune conditions. However, the presence of the centromere pattern is considered a supportive finding in diagnosing scleroderma in conjunction with other clinical and laboratory findings.
