What does a Anticardiolipin blood test test for?
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What does a Anticardiolipin blood test test for?
Description. The Anticardiolipin Antibodies Test, or ACA Blood Test, aids in the diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). APS is an autoimmune disorder that produces anticardiolipin antibodies. These antibodies interfere with the blood clotting process, which can result in inappropriate or excessive clotting.
What does it mean if you have cardiolipin antibodies?
Cardiolipin antibodies are autoantibodies produced by the immune system that mistakenly target the body’s own cardiolipins, substances found in the outermost layer of cells (cell membranes) and platelets. These autoantibodies can affect the body’s ability to regulate blood clotting in a way that is not well understood.
What is considered a high cardiolipin level?
Reference Interval
| <=14 GPL | Negative |
|---|---|
| 15-19 GPL | Indeterminate |
| 20-80 GPL | Low to Moderately Positive |
| 81 GPL or above | High Positive |
Is anticardiolipin syndrome an autoimmune disease?
APS is an autoimmune condition. This means the immune system, which usually protects the body from infection and illness, attacks healthy tissue by mistake.
What causes elevated Anticardiolipin?
Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is caused by the body’s immune system producing abnormal antibodies called antiphospholipid antibodies. This increases the risk of blood clots developing in the blood vessels, which can lead to serious health problems, such as: deep vein thrombosis (DVT) strokes.
Can anticardiolipin antibodies go away?
The antibodies often fade away when the cancer is treated. The 2 most common types of antiphospholipid antibodies are lupus anticoagulant and anticardiolipin antibodies. Testing for lupus anticoagulant often uses a test such as the Russell viper venom time (RVVT) or kaolin clotting time.
How did I get APS?
Can you live a normal life with antiphospholipid syndrome?
What is the prognosis (outlook) for antiphospholipid syndrome? If people with antiphospholipid syndrome are taking medication for the disorder and are maintaining their overall health, they can generally live healthy lives. Blood thinners work well to treat antiphospholipid syndrome and to prevent blood clots.
Does APS cause fatigue?
Some other people with APS, particularly those who also have lupus, get a rash, joint pains, migraines and become very tired, even when they aren’t pregnant or don’t have blood clots. It is not unusual for people with APS to have periods of tiredness, forgetfulness, confusion and anxiety.
Does APS cause joint pain?
Joint pain, known medically as arthralgia, is relatively common in APS patients. Arthralgia is less severe than full-blown arthritis, and tends not to be inflammatory in nature.
