Scl-70 antibody is seen in 20% of people with scleroderma (also known as systemic sclerosis), and in some people with CREST syndrome (calcinosis, Raynaud, esophageal dysfunction, sclerodactyly, telangiectasia).
These syndromes are also associated with a high frequency of speckled pattern immunofluorescent antinuclear antibody tests. Scl-70 may identify a subset of scleroderma patients with severe skin, joint, and lung disease. In addition, the presence of Scl-70 in Raynaud phenomenon may indicate a poor prognosis.
Negative results do not necessarily rule out the presence of SSc. If clinical suspicion remains, consider further testing for centromere, RNA polymerase III and U3-RNP, PM/Scl, or Th/To antibodies.
--------------------------
Progressive Systemic Sclerosis (PSS), is a chronic systemic rheumatic disease that can effect many organ systems including the skin, the GI tract, the heart, lungs and kidneys. It occurs more commonly in females and its onset most frequently in the ages from 20 to 50 years. Sera (=plural of serum) from people with PSS contain several autoantibodies to different nuclear antigens including Scl-70, Sm and centromere antigens. Antibody to Scl-70 (topoisomerase I) is present in around 20% of patients with scleroderma, particularly those patients with a more progressive form of the disease. Scl-70 is difficult to detect by immunofluorescent studies where it gives fine speckles within the nucleus. Scl-70 antigen is present in the ENAscreen. Samples positive for the ENAscreen but negative for Ro, La, RNP, Sm or the centromere antigen will automatically be tested for Scl-70. However, since many Scl-70 sera are also positive for other ENAs (Ro52or RNP) it is best to specifically request Scl70 or give scleroderma as clinical details where appropriate.
What does it mean if your Antiscleroderma-70 Antibodies result is too high?
Understanding Elevated Scl-70 Antibodies: A Comprehensive Guide
Quick Summary
An elevated Antiscleroderma-70 (Scl-70) antibody level may indicate systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) or other autoimmune conditions. This guide explains your test results, potential implications, and next steps for proper medical care.
Primary Concern: Possible systemic sclerosis or related autoimmune condition
What Does an Elevated Antiscleroderma-70 Antibody Result Mean?
The presence of Scl-70 antibodies is most commonly associated with systemic sclerosis, a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by the abnormal growth of connective tissue. Systemic sclerosis can affect the skin and internal organs, leading to a range of symptoms and potential complications. While the Scl-70 antibody is most commonly linked to this condition, an elevated level does not necessarily confirm a diagnosis of systemic sclerosis. Instead, it suggests that your body may be experiencing an autoimmune response, and further evaluation is typically needed.
Possible Diagnoses
→ Systemic Sclerosis (Scleroderma): Scl-70 antibodies are specifically associated with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis, a more severe form of scleroderma that can involve widespread skin thickening as well as organ involvement (such as the lungs, kidneys, and heart).
→ Other Autoimmune Conditions: Although less common, Scl-70 antibodies can sometimes be present in other autoimmune diseases or mixed connective tissue diseases, which share some symptoms with systemic sclerosis but may have a different prognosis and treatment approach.
Symptoms of Systemic Sclerosis
If systemic sclerosis is suspected, the symptoms can vary widely, but may include:
- Skin thickening and hardening (usually starting in the fingers, hands, and face)
- Joint pain and stiffness
- Raynaud's phenomenon (a condition where the fingers and toes turn white or blue in response to cold or stress)
- Gastrointestinal issues, such as acid reflux and difficulty swallowing
- Shortness of breath (if the lungs are involved)
- Kidney problems or elevated blood pressure (if the kidneys are affected)
The severity and combination of symptoms can vary from person to person, and some people with systemic sclerosis have only limited skin involvement and fewer systemic symptoms.
Treatment Options
While there is no cure for systemic sclerosis, treatment focuses on managing symptoms, slowing disease progression, and improving quality of life. Treatment plans are typically personalized based on the organs involved and the severity of symptoms.
Medications:
- Immunosuppressants
- Corticosteroids (used cautiously)
- Vasodilators for Raynaud's phenomenon
- Antifibrotic agents for lung involvement
Physical and Occupational Therapy:
- Stretching and mobility exercises
- Joint protection techniques
- Adaptive equipment training
Lifestyle Modifications:
- Avoiding cold exposure and stress
- Dietary modifications for gastrointestinal symptoms
- Regular exercise as tolerated
- Smoking cessation if applicable
Next Steps
Immediate Actions
- Schedule an appointment with a rheumatologist
- Document any current symptoms
- Prepare questions for your healthcare provider
Additional Testing May Include
- Comprehensive blood work
- Chest X-ray or CT scan
- Pulmonary function tests
- Skin biopsy if needed
Support Resources
Professional Organizations:
- Scleroderma Foundation: www.scleroderma.org
- National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD): www.rarediseases.org
- Arthritis Foundation: www.arthritis.org
Support Groups
- Local scleroderma support groups (check with Scleroderma Foundation)
- Online communities and forums
- Hospital-based support programs
References:
- American College of Rheumatology Guidelines for Systemic Sclerosis
- UpToDate: "Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) in adults"
- Rheumatology Network: "Diagnosis and Management of Systemic Sclerosis"
- Laboratory Corporation of America (LabCorp) Reference Ranges
Note: This guide is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider for personalized medical guidance.
All Your Lab Results.
One Simple Dashboard.
Import, Track, and Share Your Lab Results Easily
Import, Track, and Share Your Lab Results
Import lab results from multiple providers, track changes over time, customize your reference ranges, and get clear explanations for each result. Everything is stored securely, exportable in one organized file, and shareable with your doctor—or anyone you choose.
Cancel or upgrade anytime
Laboratories
Bring All Your Lab Results Together — In One Place
We accept reports from any lab, so you can easily collect and organize all your health information in one secure spot.
Pricing Table
Gather Your Lab History — and Finally Make Sense of It
Finally, Your Lab Results Organized and Clear
Personal plans
$79/ year
Advanced Plan
Access your lab reports, explanations, and tracking tools.
- Import lab results from any provider
- Track all results with visual tools
- Customize your reference ranges
- Export your full lab history anytime
- Share results securely with anyone
- Receive 5 reports entered for you
- Cancel or upgrade anytime
$250/ once
Unlimited Account
Pay once, access everything—no monthly fees, no limits.
- Import lab results from any provider
- Track all results with visual tools
- Customize your reference ranges
- Export your full lab history anytime
- Share results securely with anyone
- Receive 10 reports entered for you
- No subscriptions. No extra fees.
$45/ month
Pro Monthly
Designed for professionals managing their clients' lab reports
- Import lab results from any provider
- Track lab results for multiple clients
- Customize reference ranges per client
- Export lab histories and reports
- Begin with first report entered by us
- Cancel or upgrade anytime
About membership
What's included in a Healthmatters membership
Import Lab Results from Any Source
See Your Health Timeline
Understand What Your Results Mean
Visualize Your Results
Data Entry Service for Your Reports
Securely Share With Anyone You Trust
Let Your Lab Results Tell the Full Story
Once your results are in one place, see the bigger picture — track trends over time, compare data side by side, export your full history, and share securely with anyone you trust.
Bring all your results together to compare, track progress, export your history, and share securely.
What Healthmatters Members Are Saying
Frequently asked questions
Healthmatters is a personal health dashboard that helps you organize and understand your lab results. It collects and displays your medical test data from any lab in one secure, easy-to-use platform.
- Individuals who want to track and understand their health over time.
- Health professionals, such as doctors, nutritionists, and wellness coaches, need to manage and interpret lab data for their clients.
With a Healthmatters account, you can:
- Upload lab reports from any lab
- View your data in interactive graphs, tables, and timelines
- Track trends and monitor changes over time
- Customize your reference ranges
- Export and share your full lab history
- Access your results anytime, from any device
Professionals can also analyze client data more efficiently and save time managing lab reports.
Healthmatters.io personal account provides in-depth research on 10000+ biomarkers, including information and suggestions for test panels such as, but not limited to:
- The GI Effects® Comprehensive Stool Profile,
- GI-MAP,
- The NutrEval FMV®,
- The ION Profile,
- Amino Acids Profile,
- Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones (DUTCH),
- Organic Acids Test,
- Organix Comprehensive Profile,
- Toxic Metals,
- Complete Blood Count (CBC),
- Metabolic panel,
- Thyroid panel,
- Lipid Panel,
- Urinalysis,
- And many, many more.
You can combine all test reports inside your Healthmatters account and keep them in one place. It gives you an excellent overview of all your health data. Once you retest, you can add new results and compare them.
If you are still determining whether Healthmatters support your lab results, the rule is that if you can test it, you can upload it to Healthmatters.
We implement proven measures to keep your data safe.
At HealthMatters, we're committed to maintaining the security and confidentiality of your personal information. We've put industry-leading security standards in place to help protect against the loss, misuse, or alteration of the information under our control. We use procedural, physical, and electronic security methods designed to prevent unauthorized people from getting access to this information. Our internal code of conduct adds additional privacy protection. All data is backed up multiple times a day and encrypted using SSL certificates. See our Privacy Policy for more details.