Lupus Anticoagulant Antibody Test - All You Should Know

What Are Lupus Anticoagulant Tests?

The lupus anticoagulant test is a blood test performed to detect lupus antibodies. Lupus antibodies are cells of the body's immune system that attack the clotting mechanism. The lupus antibodies are responsible for various conditions, such as gangrene (death of the tissues due to lack of oxygen), strokes, miscarriages, and other conditions. The lupus antibody test measures the level of this antibody in the body.

What Is Lupus Anticoagulant?

Lupus anticoagulants (LAs) are antibodies produced by the body’s immune system. These antibodies attack the body's standard components, mainly phospholipids that form an important component of the cell layer. The LA’s can also be known as antiphospholipid.

What Are the Symptoms of Lupus Anticoagulants?

LAs can expand the chances of blood clumps. In any case, antibodies can be available and not rapid coagulation. If one may foster blood coagulation in one of the arms or legs, side effects might include the following:

• Swelling in the arm or leg.

• Redness or staining in the arm or leg.

• Difficulty in breathing.

• Agony or lifelessness in the extremities.

• Blood clots in the lungs and heart.

• Chest pain.

• Excessive sweating.

• Breathing difficulties.

• Dizziness.

• Stomach pain.

• Thigh pain or extreme pain in lower extremities.

• Sickness.

• Loose stools or bloody diarrhea.

• Fever.

• Blood clots in various parts of the body.

Miscarriage: Little blood clumps brought about by LAs can convolute a pregnancy which may even result in miscarriage. Multiple miscarriages could be indicative of lupus antibodies. The miscarriage caused due to Lupus antibody mostly occurs after the first trimester (first three months of pregnancy).

How Is Lupus Anticoagulant Tested?

No single test assists doctors with decisively diagnosing LAs. Numerous blood tests are taken to diagnose this condition accurately. Sometimes these tests may have to be done multiple times to detect the presence of LAs accurately. This is because lupus antibodies spike only during certain conditions. Hence multiple blood tests may be required to detect these antibodies when their level in the blood is high.

1. PTT Test: The partial thromboplastin time (PTT) test estimates the time it takes the blood to clot. It can also be helpful to check if the blood contains anticoagulant antibodies. Be that as it may, it will not uncover the specific presence of lupus antibodies. Retesting is necessary if the experimental outcomes show the presence of anticoagulant antibodies. Retesting occurs in around 12 weeks.

2. Other Blood Tests: Assuming that the PTT test demonstrates the presence of anticoagulant antibodies, the doctor may arrange different kinds of blood tests to search for indications of other ailments. Such tests might include

• Anticardiolipin antibody test.

• Coagulation factor assay.

• Kaolin clotting time.

• Diluted Russell snake toxin test (DRVTT).

• LA-sensitive PTT.

• Beta-2 glycoprotein 1 antibody test.

These are all blood tests with little risk of allergies. One might feel a short sting when the needle penetrates the skin. The injection site may feel painful for a few days after the test.

How Is Lupus Anticoagulant Treated?

Not every person who gets diagnosed with LAs requires treatment. The doctor may not prefer any treatment if there are no side effects or blood clots. The treatment for the presence of lupus antibodies varies from person to person and case to case. The various treatment modalities available to treat LAs include

1. Blood-Thinners: These drugs assist with preventing the formation of blood clots. Blood thinners act on the production of Vitamin K by the liver. Vitamin K is a mineral that is essential for blood clotting. Normal blood thinners may include heparin and warfarin. The doctor may likewise recommend anti-inflammatory medicine. Anti-inflammatory medication represses platelet capability instead of reducing blood thinners' vitamin K production. Assuming that doctor endorses blood thinners, the patient's blood will occasionally be tested for cardiolipin and beta-2 glycoprotein 1 antibody.

These medications can be discontinued if there is a dip in the lupus anticoagulant antibody levels. However, this should not be without a doctor’s opinion. For some, these medications can go on for years. Depending on the antibody level, it can be discontinued for others after a few weeks or months.

2. Steroids: Steroids like Prednisone and Cortisone can suppress the production of lupus antibodies. Hence in severe cases of LAs, steroids are considered a choice of treatment.

3. Plasma Exchange: Plasma exchange is a cycle wherein a machine isolates the blood plasma containing the LAs from your other platelets. The plasma containing the LAs is replaced by plasma or a plasma substitute liberated from the antibodies. This interaction is additionally called plasmapheresis.

4. Stopping Other Medications: A few normal prescriptions might cause LA. These prescriptions include:

1. Quinines, such as chloroquine, are used to treat malaria.

2. Birth control pills such as progestin.

3. ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors such as benazepril and enalapril.

5. Lifestyle Modifications: Certain lifestyle modifications can help manage Lupus antibodies. The various lifestyle management strategies include the following-

• Regular Exercise: Regular exercise can help us in multiple ways. Exercise can lead to movement of the body that can facilitate blood flow. The exercise does not have to be strenuous. A simple walk can do wonders. Finding an exercise that one likes and carrying on with it can be very beneficial.

• Avoid Smoking and Drinking: It is very important to quit smoking. The nicotine in cigarettes can cause the blood vessels to contract. This can worsen the activity of LAs. Similarly, the consumption of alcohol can cause clot formation in the blood. Hence it is advisable to quit smoking and drinking.

• Lose Weight: When obese, the fat cells may prevent the dissolution of blood clots. Being overweight can also indicate the presence of other toxins in the body.

• Reducing the Intake of Vitamin-K-Rich Food: Vitamin K is a mineral that is otherwise very beneficial but may not be all that helpful for LAs. Hence, avoid food that contains good amounts of Vitamin K. These includes asparagus, prunes, parsley, cabbage, broccoli, lettuce, and spinach.

Conclusion:

A lupus antibody test is a test done to detect lupus antibodies. Lupus antibodies cause clots in the blood. This can lead to various complications. This condition can be detected using various blood tests. Hence medical opinion should be obtained as soon as any of the above mentioned symptoms are seen.