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A MyLupusTeam Member asked a question 💭
October 4, 2025
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A MyLupusTeam Member

I have MCTD and AI hit all of the points and I have all of these:
• Positive RNP antibody test (95-100% sensitivity for MCTD)
• Symptoms of overlap syndrome including:
- Raynaud's disease (fingers turning blue/white when cold)-- my Raynauds flares whenever a part of my body is exposed to coldness.
- Joint inflammation and swelling-- carpal tunnel, back, knee pain, pain in arms, mouth.
- Trouble swallowing-- I have had trouble swallowing but I had thought it was related to my alcohol allergy closing up my airway.
- Hair loss-- I lost all my hair.
- Sun-sensitive rashes-- I am very sun sensitive and cannot be out in it without cover, glasses.
- Hand swelling-- my hands got so big I could not even wear my rings. They are just now coming down after 1.0 year.
I hope this helps.

October 4, 2025
A MyLupusTeam Member

MCTD patients have symptoms of multiple autoimmune conditions, often SLE and scleroderma. It and UCTD (nonspecific rheumatologic symptoms) may be the default diagnosis earlier in the course of disease, as it can take time for autoimmune disease to develop fully. Some people may never progress.

October 4, 2025
A MyLupusTeam Member

Yes, it does, thanks. This will be my first winter since going photosensitive. They've added SLE to my original diagnosis of Discoid. I've had problems with my eyes, lungs, palpable purpura and vasculitis(?). But my blood tests are all clean and so is my urine??? 2x my sacroiliac gave me excruciating pain, 3 day duration and I could barely walk?!?! Take care.

October 4, 2025
MyLupusTeam

For MCTD diagnosis, doctors look for
• Positive RNP antibody test (95-100% sensitivity for MCTD)
• Symptoms of overlap syndrome including:
- Raynaud's disease (fingers turning blue/white when cold)
- Joint inflammation and swelling
- Trouble swallowing
- Hair loss
- Sun-sensitive rashes
- Hand swelling

The most common early Show Full Answer

For MCTD diagnosis, doctors look for:
• Positive RNP antibody test (95-100% sensitivity for MCTD)
• Symptoms of overlap syndrome including:
- Raynaud's disease (fingers turning blue/white when cold)
- Joint inflammation and swelling
- Trouble swallowing
- Hair loss
- Sun-sensitive rashes
- Hand swelling

The most common early signs are Raynaud's disease, swollen hands, and joint pain. For UCTD diagnosis, doctors look for:
• Some lupus-like symptoms but not enough for a full lupus diagnosis
• Symptoms that don't clearly fit into any specific connective tissue disease category
• Various combinations of symptoms that may overlap with different conditions

Up to 25% of people with connective tissue disease symptoms receive a UCTD diagnosis. This doesn't mean doctors don't understand what's happening - it just means the symptoms don't fit neatly into a specific diagnosis category.

October 4, 2025

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