Do the other antibody tests, besides ANA fluctuate?

I'm wondering......Rheumie retests for the other antibodies (Sjogren's, SLE, RA) regularly and repeatedly, despite that the only one that has come back positive in 1 1/2 years is the ANA, and it seems to climb higher with each test, (with 3 different patterns)  I'm assuming she's waiting for something else to show up or she wouldn't keep testing....  I'll see her in 3 weeks, and am getting my questions in order.  Any help would be appreciated.

Lucy

When I was on Imuran, my ANA came back negative, despite being highly positive for every other test. My RA factor also decreased while on Imuran.

Hello

UCTD is not a diagnostic limbo. It is a definite diagnosis. It means there is definitely an autoimmune connective tissue disease present but there are no specific antibodies for any individual disease. This would mean no anti Ro or anti La for Sjogren's, no ds DNA or anti Sm for lupus or specific skin or kidney problems and so on. Your question has to be " Why are you not treating me with disease modifying medicines ?" That would be Plaquenil usually. Ibuprofen is not the first choice of NSAID for lupus because there is a much higher risk of aseptic meningitis in lupus patients taking it.

I am quite sure that many doctors would diagnose lupus in such cases. All that is required for an SLE diagnose is an elevated ANA and enough symptoms even if they are not specific. Sometimes other possible causes for a moderately elevated ANA have to be ruled out. Above 1: 360 is considered high enough by most doctors. 1:160 would be enough for most of there was weighty additional evidence it is caused by an A-I CTD.
Cases of UCTD can remain as they are or sometimes develop over time into a more specific disease when new symptoms appear and new antibodies.
The answer to your question is that yes,antibody levels can vary but most are not regarded as indicators of disease activity ANA is not regarded as an indicator of disease activbity but uncontrolled disease might be expected if it is always rising and often ANA lowers or disappears when the disease goes into remission.
You need a second opinion if at all possible. Otherwise she needs to explain herself!

Diagnosis and treatment are by symptoms not blood work

HTH

BB

OK - More questions:  Bumblebee - anti LA & anti Ro?  I've had the following tests besides ANA:

DNA screen

Rheu Factor Qual

Anti-CCP IgG

SS-A-AB

SM AB

SM/RNP AB

All were negative.

I looked on labtestsonline.org and the last three came up as something to do w/ EBV!?  I'm guessing the acronyms are just different for some labs....but do you see or recognize what you would expect to see?  And to be fair, I looked back at the copies of my records which I obtained recently, in which she states she "discussed the possibility of an UCTD".   As I recall, she told me that was the dx for now, based on nothing more definitive in the labwork.   The last ANA in May was 1:1280.   She offered me Plaq at my initial vist (I just wasn't ready).  At the May visit she again really emphasized how safe it was - but I wanted to wait and see what the bloodwork showed.   Since the ANA had doubled again I expected the Rx, (and I was ready) but the nurse said she wanted to wait.  So I'm confused. 

This would be easier if she was in town - the traveling complicates matters.  And when I finally get those 15 minutes with her, I have a hard time getting all my symptoms, questions and concerns laid out coherently.   Ok - enough already - you've all been there. 

I'll need to relate to her my flare in July, and September and I'm hoping for time for 3 major questions: 1) What is it you think I have beyond fibro in the AI dept.?  2) Is it time for Plaquenil - why or why not? and 3) ....well, I can't think of the third.  Any ideas?

Thanks  - I appreciate all the responses and just wish I'd been "clued in" about this forum long ago.

Lucy