| Re: Pediatric MCTD? Lab results and Prep. for Rheumy Appointment??
What was your pattern? As to levels of various antibodies, just because they have been detected but not at disease causing levels is not necessarily a cause for concern. Many people have them transiently and they can be caused by a passing virus, or even just being related to someone with an autoimmune disease. I myself have occasionally had ds/DNA, low levels, but I don't have lupus, I have a different AI. MCTD, or indeed, any autoimmune disease is diagnosed not just on the basis of labs, but symptoms as well. I know that many rheumatologists do not consider a titre of 1:320 positive for disease, even though the test results say "positive". I think the main question is why you are questioning your Dr. Is this a GP or your Rheumatologist. If you don't have faith in your Dr, no amount of correct diagnosis is going to help. If you feel it necessary, get a second opinion. As far as what to tell a rheumatologist, your symptoms are the place to start. You might ask if these are in line with your current diagnoses. And what your treatment plan should be, if it is a possible autoimmune disease, if not, where is your best place to get symptom relief, which is pretty much what it's all about.
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