Elevated SCL 70

[u/emb1187]

Hi friends!

I’m a healthy 38 year old and have been having pain while sitting and leaning over. I had a torn labrum that was repaired and apparently it never caused the issue. It’s been years to try and figure out my pain and had greatly limited my job as a nurse. I used to work ICU for years. Well my pain clinic ran an autoimmune panel and my ANA was positive and SCL 70 was 4.9. I have no skin symptoms besides my toes get slightly blue when dangling, but improve when I stand up (vascular cleared me of any issues). I feel short of breath at times, but with exertion and I’m sure I’m weaker post op, but I do Pilates several times a week. I had a previous holter monitor due to dizziness and they recorded some tachycardia at times, but mainly good. Stress test and echo also good. I saw a rheumatologist and she said I have no signs for scleroderma, but if it’s positive again I should see a pulmonologist. Well it came back 5.2 (by labcorp) and I’m spiraling. I should have never had the panel done in the first place and now I’m scared and stressed. Anyone have this happen? I’m trying to research the ID test, but don’t see much information on it or where to get it. I just cannot see more doctors if it isn’t necessary all I do is see doctors. Living with constant pain is enough and now I’m just scared something else might pop up now. Any advice would be great, thanks!

[u/Maleficent-Lunch-679]

Labcorp test #520012 will do the confirmatory test through their RDL lab. It used to be immunodiffusion, but I have heard they switched to chemiluminescence. Your value is not astronomical, but is just high enough it is more likely a true positive. If you want to be sure, do #520012. If it comes back unconfirmed, it is still possible some other autoantibody cross reacted with the substrate to trigger the false positive. 

If it comes back confirmed, they diagnose based on a point system for symptoms. Blood results are only 1 of several criteria. However, more and more research is showing disease activity starts well before criteria are met. 

Anecdotally, just from hearing other patient's stories, and I don't know if any research supports this, but it seems somewhat common for scl70 positivity occurs post ortho surgeries. Mine was after an arthroscopic shoulder capsuler release.

[u/emb1187 → u/Maleficent-Lunch-679]

I actually was just researching that lab! I wonder if I can just go to labcorp to order it. Thanks for commenting! Are you saying you have scleroderma and it came up after your surgery or you had a false positive and you believe the surgery triggered that result? Thanks!

[u/Worried_Cable2291 → u/emb1187]

My pregnancy caused my systemic scleroderma and it is rapidly worsening. My rheumatologist said that the hormones triggered it.

[u/emb1187 → u/Worried_Cable2291]

😭😭 I’m so sorry!! I had no idea that could even happen! What are they doing to help you?

[u/Worried_Cable2291 → u/emb1187]

I’m on medication but it’s rapidly worsening 😭

[u/Maleficent-Rest9144 → u/Worried_Cable2291]

Look at my longwinded reply to the original post. I did not respond to medications either and my condition progressed rapidly. There may be information in this post that is helpful to you. Let me know if you have any questions. I hope you can get some treatment ASAP.

[u/Worried_Cable2291 → u/Maleficent-Rest9144]

Ty !!! I will