Question about antibodies

JM47

Hi, and thank you for allowing me to join the site

I was looking for a bit of information, as I have a test result that has me confused, and I was hoping someone might be answer a question.

A bit of background. I am in my late forties and am female. I have already been diagnosed with scleroderma and sjogrens syndrome. Two of my kids have autoimmune issues, and when I was able to locate my biological mother, I found out she had lupus.

I had my antibody levels checked recently ( please forgive me if I use the terminology incorrectly) and, as expected, I had positive results for ANA, Centromere B, SS-A and SS-B.  Sm antibodies. were also found and flagged.

I am confused, as some sites I've looked at indicate that SM antibodies always mean a person has lupus, but my rheumatologist has never mentioned it as a possibility. I've had the level tested before, and it wasn't there. Is it possible to test positive for this antibody and not have lupus? Could this just be the other autoimmune issues?

Kittie_V

Hi JM47.

I wish I had an answer for you because I am in a similar boat.  I was recently tested and my lab work came back positive for ANA, Anti-dsDND, Anti-sm, Anti-SSA, low WBC, and high IgG.  I have also done the research and all I can find is the Anti-sm is very specific for SLE and that it is sometimes found in other autoimmune disorders, but not often.  I don't see my rheumatologist for another couple weeks but I am really hoping he has some other explanation for all these results. 

Good luck to you.