Diagnosis

Because scleroderma can take so many forms and affect so many different areas of the body, it can be difficult to diagnose.

After a thorough physical exam, your doctor may suggest blood tests to check for elevated levels of certain antibodies produced by the immune system. He or she may also remove a small sample of your affected skin so that it can be examined in the laboratory.

Your doctor may also suggest other blood tests and imaging or organ-function tests to help determine whether your digestive system, heart or lungs are affected.