APLA Test
About Antiphospholipid Antibody (APLA) test
This blood test checks for increased levels of antiphospholipid antibodies. These antibodies may be found in people who have abnormal blood clots or autoimmune diseases. This test is also known as APA, lupus anticoagulant, anticardiolipin antibodies.
The immune system creates antibodies in response to an infection or pathogens like bacteria. Antiphospholipid antibodies are usually made when your immune system mistakenly identifies part of your own body for a harmful substance. In this case, the antibodies react to phospholipids. Phospholipids are normally part of your blood vessels and are known as structural components of cell membranes. They play an important role in controlling blood clot formation.
Common types of antiphospholipid antibodies are
· Anticardiolipin antibodies IgG or IgM
· Anti-beta-2-glycoprotein-I antibodies IgG or IgM
· Lupus anticoagulants
People having abnormal blood clots, repeated miscarriages, or autoimmune diseases, like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and multiple sclerosis commonly have antiphospholipid antibodies also known as lupus anticoagulants because of their prevalence in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. An APLA test can be used to check the levels of these antibodies. Cancer patients may also have antiphospholipid antibodies. Thus, getting your APLA test is recommended to diagnose APLA syndrome
Types of APLA tests
There are mainly two classes of APLA antibodies:
a) Antiphospholipid antibodies IgG: These antibodies are found as a result of complications of APLA syndrome.
b) Antiphospholipid antibodies IgM: High levels of these antibodies are found in autoimmune hemolytic anemia, a condition where the immune system attacks its own red blood cells.
APLA Syndrome is a disorder where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks normal proteins in the blood, the following tests are performed to check for clotting and the presence of the autoantibodies to diagnose this condition.
1. Lupus anticoagulant testing: A series of blood tests are used to detect the presence of lupus anticoagulant (LA) which is an autoantibody associated with excessive blood clots. A single test that can determine the presence of LA in the blood is not available.
2. Beta-2 Glycoprotein 1 (B2GP) antibody test: This measures the level of B2GP antibodies in the blood. These antiphospholipid antibodies target the body’s lipid proteins located in cell membranes and platelets increasing the risk of blood clot formation in arteries and veins.
3. Anti-Cardiolipin antibody test: This detects the presence of cardiolipin antibodies within the body. These autoantibodies produced by the immune system target the body’s cardiolipins or lipid molecules that play an important role in clot formation. These antibodies are associated with an increased risk of recurrent blood clots and a low platelet count.
.
Symptoms of high APLA levels
Shortness of breath
Headaches
Deep vein thrombosis (blood clot in deep veins of the legs)
Low platelet count (Thrombocytopenia)
Stroke
Heart attack
Pain and swelling due to the thrombotic episodes
Stillbirth
Placental insufficiency (where the placenta which is a source of nutrition for the baby in the womb is either not properly developed or is damaged)
Implantation failure
Higher rates of IVF failure
Who should get tested?
Having repeated miscarriages
Presence of abnormal blood clots that could lead to heart attack or stroke
Having antiphospholipid antibody with symptoms like miscarriages, a platelet deficiency, and abnormal blood clots
Having SLE or cancer
Having an unexpectedly prolonged and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
Preparation for test
What sample is collected?
A blood sample is collected from a vein in the individual’s arm.
Preparation for test
Certain medicines may affect the results of this test, therefore ask your doctor for details about pre-test preparations, and make sure to follow instructions closely.
Interpretation of Results
|
Result in U/mL (IgG and IgM antiphospholipid antibodies) |
Remarks |
|
<12 |
Negative |
|
12.00-18.00 |
Equivocal |
|
>18 |
Positive |
Normal value ranges may slightly differ among different laboratories and some labs use different measurements.
Deviation from normal levels indicates the following:
· Negative result means that you do not have IgG and IgM antiphospholipid antibodies.
· Low to moderate values means that the antibodies seen are most likely due to a recent health problem like a viral infection or due to medications consumed.
· Higher values (positive result) indicate a higher risk for blood clots. It may be caused due to autoimmune disorders like antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, SLE, etc.
FAQs
What are the risks involved in APLA test?
This test involves negligible risk. There might be slight pain or tenderness around the site where the needle went in. Rarely, the site can become infected.
What is the turnaround time (TAT) for the results of an APLA test?
Result of an APLA test is usually available within 1-2 days, although it could take longer at times.
Why do I need an APLA test?
An APLA test is recommended if a patient shows signs of unusual blood clots, has a family history of autoimmune diseases, experiences frequent miscarriages and has cancer. It is used to diagnose antiphospholipid syndrome, a medical condition where the immune system attacks the phospholipids present in your body
Can APLA test be done without fasting?
This test can be done any time of the day and does not require fasting
What happens if my APLA test result is positive?
If your APLA test results are positive, it may be indicative of the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies in your body. To confirm, your doctor may ask you to take the test for the second time after a few weeks and compare the results. If both the tests show positive results, it means that you have high levels of antiphospholipid antibodies and are at a high risk of developing blood clots. Additional tests may be ordered for the diagnosis of the medical condition and your doctor will suggest appropriate treatment plan for you
Related tests
Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time - APTT/ PTTK
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Includes
1 Test Parameter(s)
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The Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT), also called partial thromboplastin time (PTT), is a screening test that helps examine a person’s ability to form blood clots appropriately. This test is performed to diagnose bleeding and clotting disorders and monitor the treatment with blood-thinning medicines. aPTT test is performed in case of unexplained bleeding, improper blood clotting, recurrent miscarriages, and sometimes before a scheduled surgery. PTT is generally considered a part of panel of coagulation panel studies including international normalizing ratio (INR) and prothrombin time (PT).
Tests At Lupin Diagnostics
Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time - APTT/ PTTK
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Includes
1 Test Parameter(s)
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The Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT), also called partial thromboplastin time (PTT), is a screening test that helps examine a person’s ability to form blood clots appropriately. This test is performed to diagnose bleeding and clotting disorders and monitor the treatment with blood-thinning medicines. aPTT test is performed in case of unexplained bleeding, improper blood clotting, recurrent miscarriages, and sometimes before a scheduled surgery. PTT is generally considered a part of panel of coagulation panel studies including international normalizing ratio (INR) and prothrombin time (PT).
Phospholipid Syndrome Panel (APLA)
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The Phospholipid syndrome Panel (APLA)helps detect the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies inpeople with abnormal blood clotting and recurrent miscarriages. Antiphospholipid antibodies are autoantibodies directed against the phosphorus-fat component of cell membranes, called phospholipids. This test may be performed along with other antibody tests such as lupus anticoagulant (LA), anticardiolipin (aCL) antibodies (IgG and IgM), and beta-2 glycoprotein antibodies. Antiphospholipid syndrome (APLS) is characterized by the presence of such antibodies in people with thrombosis and pregnancy loss. The APLA test is useful in diagnosing antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). This test may also be indicated in diagnosing conditions like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), thrombotic diseases, or recurrent miscarriages. The APLA test may also be helpful to differentiate from other blood clotting disorders like hyperhomocysteinemia(elevated blood level of homocysteine), clotting factor deficiencies, etc.