Positive rnp results

[cedarwaxwing]

A few months ago my blood test showed that I had a positive rnp antibody of 5.3.  Is that considered extremely high and what does number mean?  Eight years ago I was diagnosed with dermatomyositis and a few years back calcinosis.  I don't remember ever having a positive rnp.

[aconcrnedfrnd]

my friend was diagnosed with MCTD, all of her symptoms leads to Raynauds too..we are in japan and dont speak japanese fluently, what can she expect from this disease, the doctor said that she should live as normally as she does, does she need to watch her diet? what must she avoid? thank you..

[cedarwaxwing]

Thank you so much for your response.  I also believe that I have MCTD.  I do have the swollen fingers and although I don't have heartburn, I have in the past month had indigestion and a sour stomach. I have Raynauds for years.  I meet with my rheumy on 9/24/2009 and will be able to talk to him about this.

[karajo]

a positive RNP would indicate mixed connective tissue disease.  This is an autoimmune disorder.  Their conditon resembles lupus, but they tend to have puffy hands, complain of heartburn and swallowing problems and have interstitial scarring of the lungs on chest x-ray.  Raynaud's is almost universally seen in MCTD.  Lab would show a postive ANA and anti-RNP.  Sometimes it takes a while for symptoms to manifest.

Are you have any symptoms?

I'm not sure if there would be a possiblity of a false positive.  I will try and check on that for you.  

If you have any more questions feel free to ask.
Blessings, kara

[cedarwaxwing]

Thanks for the response.  a positive result was >0.9.  That's why I thought maybe 5.3 would be considered high

[karajo]

On the test done on me the normal range was 0-120.  My RNP was 63.  So I would think you would need to look at your testing normal range.