I have been diagnosed with UCTD multiple times. My neuro thinks it's a CTD & my PCP thinks it's fibromyalgia. I've also had a couple of rheumatologists say it wasn't a CTD because I don't have any other evidence in my blood work and it's extremely annoying and confusing that they don't agree and I just feel like I have no answers to what is wrong.
Thank you both for the information. I'll check into the genetic testing. I was going to ask about getting the HLA-B27 done anyway just because of my family history.
maryalice40, I see that your symptoms, high ANA and high anti-U1-RNP
are consistent with Mixed Connective Tissue Disease.
Studies find ANA positivity common, even in healthy people , according to an article in the ProHealth website titled : "Tired, Aching, ANA-positive: Do You Have Lupus or Fibromyalgia?" By David Blumenthal, M.D., Dept. of Rheumatic and Immunologic Diseases, The Cleveland Clinic.
However, even if your ANA was considered a possible false positive,which is less likely in higher titres, your doctors should have considered your high anti-U1-RNP AND your significant symptoms you mentioned.
BTW, interpretation of lab test results should NEVER overide symptoms which are consistent with the conditions investigated!
You should consider to have genetic testing, specially for the
HLA*-DR4 allele.
*The National Institutes of Health explain HLA this way: "The HLA gene family provides instructions for making a group of related proteins known as the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) complex. The HLA complex helps the immune system distinguish the body's own proteins from proteins made by foreign invaders such as viruses and bacteria."
Underlying factors often include unregulated low thyroid function and low grade pathogenic infectious conditions, which you could also look into.
I hope this helps, however, please note that my comments here, are not intended to replace medical advice.
Best wishes.
Niko
The stiffness is either when I wake up or during the night before I go to bed. Sometimes I wake up and my joints are bent but they do eventually straighten back out. It's usually hard to get up and walk when it's happening.
17 years with normal inflammatory markers but always have the high ANA and I've had a high anti-u1-rnp for about 4 years. Severe fatigue, muscle pain, generalized weakness, widespread tingling. Now pain in many joints (fingers, toes, wrists, heel of foot. Back hurts all over.
The symptoms matter more than the serum number presenting a coherrent picture. You're ANA positive with the pain/stiffness ... the serum numbers may take years to settledown into a stable rythym.