U3-RNP antibodies target the U3 small nucleolar ribonucleoprotein (U3-RNP) complex, which consists of the protein fibrillarin and U3 RNA. These antibodies are found in about 4% to 10% of patients with SSc, and are especially common in African American SSc patients (approximately 30%). U3-RNP antibodies are rarely found in patients with other autoimmune disorders; thus, the presence of these antibodies supports a SSc diagnosis. 

These antibodies occur most often in dcSSc, but they can also occur in lcSSc.

U3-RNP antibodies are associated with multiorgan involvement, including the heart, kidneys, muscle, lungs, and gastrointestinal system. Their presence is an independent risk factor for the development of PAH, and PAH is the most common cause of death in U3-RNP–positive patients. Therefore, their presence indicates a poorer prognosis.

Fibrinogen is a key marker included in the Inflammation and Oxidation Test panel by Boston Heart Diagnostics, primarily due to its critical role in the body's clotting process and its association with inflammation. Essentially, fibrinogen is a blood plasma protein that's converted into fibrin by the action of the enzyme thrombin during blood clot formation. This process is crucial for stopping bleeding and initiating the healing process following an injury. However, elevated levels of fibrinogen can indicate an increased risk of clot formation within the blood vessels, which is a significant concern because it can lead to blockages, thereby increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

It’s used to determine the level of fibrinogen in your blood. Fibrinogen, or factor I, is a blood plasma protein that’s made in the liver. Fibrinogen is one of 13 coagulation factors responsible for normal blood clotting.

Fibrinogen is a soluble protein in the plasma that is broken down to fibrin by the enzyme thrombin to form clots.

Fibrosis Score is a non-invasive estimate of liver scarring (fibrosis) derived from routine blood tests—typically AST, ALT, platelet count—and sometimes age or body measurements. It helps determine whether liver injury from fatty liver disease (MASLD/NASH), hepatitis B or C, or alcohol use has progressed to advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis. In general, a low score indicates minimal scarring and low risk, while a high score points to significant fibrosis and the need for further evaluation, often via transient elastography (FibroScan®) or specialist assessment. Clinicians use this score to monitor liver health over time, reduce the need for biopsy, and guide treatment and lifestyle changes aimed at halting or reversing damage.

If your score falls into the low or minimal range, it suggests little to no fibrosis and likely good liver function—reassuring evidence that advanced damage is not present right now. Even so, keeping your liver healthy matters: prioritize a balanced diet, regular exercise, healthy body weight, limited alcohol, and management of metabolic risks (blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure). Your clinician may advise periodic re-checks of liver enzymes and fibrosis markers—typically every 1–3 years—to confirm stability and catch early changes promptly.

Fibrosis Stage (FibroTest® → METAVIR) expresses how much liver scarring you likely have by converting a FibroTest score (f) into METAVIR stages: f ≥ 0.00–0.21 = F0 (no fibrosis); >0.21–0.27 = F0–F1 (no fibrosis); >0.27–0.31 = F1 (minimal fibrosis); >0.31–0.48 = F1–F2 (minimal fibrosis); >0.48–0.58 = F2 (moderate fibrosis); >0.58–0.72 = F3 (advanced fibrosis); >0.72–0.74 = F3–F4 (advanced fibrosis); >0.74–1.00 = F4 (severe fibrosis/cirrhosis). Lower stages (F0–F1) suggest little to no scarring and routine lifestyle-focused care with periodic rechecks; mid stages (F1–F2) indicate rising risk and may warrant confirmatory elastography (e.g., FibroScan®) and more active treatment of the cause (metabolic, viral, alcohol-related); advanced stages (F3–F4) signal substantial scarring, higher complication risk, and the need for specialist management, imaging, and surveillance. Always interpret your number in clinical context and with the reference ranges printed on your report.

Noninvasive estimate of liver scarring in HCV and HBV patients, to assess need for biopsy.

ANTIBODIES ASSOCIATED WITH:
This test by itself is not diagnostic for any condition or disease

Atherosclerotic Lesions
Osteoarthritis  

BODY TISSUE:

Joint

Finasteride is a 5α-reductase inhibitor used to block the formation of the potent androgen DHT from its precursor, testosterone. It is used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia as well as male pattern baldness in men and women, and excessive facial or body hair growth in women.

Serum testosterone levels increase as a result of the reduced conversion to DHT, but the increase is not usually outside the normal range

. Treatment with finasteride has been linked with sexual side effects.

Gram-negative Bacteroidetes and grampositive Firmicutes are bacterial phyla that dominate the entire human digestive tract, including the mouth, nose, throat, and colon.2 An abnormal result in one or both of these phylum suggest imbalanced normal microbes in the GI tract. Further, high Firmicutes and low Bacteroidetes (resulting in a high F/B ratio) suggest microbial imbalance which may be related to increased caloric extraction from food, fat deposition and lipogenesis, impaired insulin sensitivity, and increased inflammation.

Gram-negative Bacteroidetes and grampositive Firmicutes are bacterial phyla that dominate the entire human digestive tract, including the mouth, nose, throat, and colon.2 An abnormal result in one or both of these phylum suggest imbalanced normal microbes in the GI tract. Further, high Firmicutes and low Bacteroidetes (resulting in a high F/B ratio) suggest microbial imbalance which may be related to increased caloric extraction from food, fat deposition and lipogenesis, impaired insulin sensitivity, and increased inflammation.

The marker "Firmicutes Phylum" refers to a significant group of bacteria commonly found in the human gut. Firmicutes are one of the most abundant types of bacteria in the human digestive tract, playing a crucial role in the body's ability to digest and absorb nutrients. They are also involved in the synthesis of certain vitamins and the regulation of our immune system. A GI panel often measures the levels of Firmicutes to assess the balance of microbial populations in the gut. An imbalance in these bacteria can be linked to various health conditions, including digestive disorders, obesity, and metabolic issues. When analyzing GI panel results, high or low levels of Firmicutes can provide insights into the individual's gut health, pointing towards potential dysbiosis (microbial imbalance) and guiding appropriate dietary or medical interventions to restore balance and support overall health.

In adults, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes are the most abundant bacterial phyla in the gut. The Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes (F/B) abundance ratio was shown to increase from infancy to adulthood and subsequently to decrease again in the elderly. Elevated F/B ratios have been linked to obesity though the evidence is not conclusive.

The "Firmicutes:Bacteroidetes Ratio" is an important marker that provides insights into the composition of gut microbiota. Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes are two major groups of bacteria commonly found in the human gut. Each plays a critical role in digestion and overall health. The ratio between these two types of bacteria can indicate different states of gut health and has been linked to various conditions. For instance, an imbalance, often reflected in a higher Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio, has been associated with obesity and other metabolic disorders. Conversely, a lower ratio might be observed in leaner individuals. This marker helps healthcare providers understand the bacterial balance within a patient’s gastrointestinal tract, offering clues about the patient's metabolic health and potential digestive issues. Analyzing this ratio allows practitioners to recommend specific dietary or therapeutic interventions aimed at restoring a healthy balance of gut microbiota, thereby improving the patient's overall health.

An abnormal result in one or both of these phylum suggest imbalanced normal microbes in the GI tract.

Gram-negative Bacteroidetes and grampositive Firmicutes are bacterial phyla that dominate the entire human digestive tract, including the mouth, nose, throat, and colon. 

The F/B ratio provides an estimate of the predominance of two major phyla of commensal organisms, which has been associated with a number of metabolic disorders.