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What is the Lupus Anticoagulant Test?
Lupus anticoagulant is an antiphospholipid antibody synthesized by the body’s immune system. It attacks healthy cells and proteins and can cause clotting disorders, leading to miscarriages, stroke, gangrene, and several other problems.
Antibodies are also known as immunoglobulins. They are proteins that are present in the blood and fight against foreign bodies like viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms, which are commonly termed antigens.
Lupus anticoagulants react to fat molecules, phospholipids, in the blood and interfere with their functioning. The lupus anticoagulant test (LAC) is a series of tests used to measure the level of the antibody lupus anticoagulant in the body. Lupus anticoagulants can result in blood clots in the brain, heart, legs, and lungs, blood vessel narrowing, stroke, and low platelet count.
The name of the test might be a little confusing, as the name indicates the test is not about the disease, systemic lupus erythematosus. It is about the level of an antibody named lupus anticoagulant in the blood.
The lupus anticoagulant test is also known as lupus inhibitor, lupus anticoagulant panel, modified Russell viper venom test, and dilute Russell viper venom test.
Other antiphospholipid antibodies include an anticardiolipin antibody, false-positive syphilis, anti-beta-2-glycoprotein-1, and anti-prothrombin.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the Lupus Anticoagulant Test used for?
The lupus anticoagulant test is used to determine the reason for recurrent miscarriages, unexplained blood clots in the arteries or veins, and prolonged partial thromboplastin time (PTT) and evaluate antiphospholipid syndrome.Â
Understanding the test results of the Lupus Anticoagulant (LAC) Test.
The results of the LAC test might be complicated, and a qualified laboratory technician or physician will best explain it. If PTT is normal, that may indicate the absence of LAC; however, this can only be confirmed by performing a LAC-sensitive PTT.
Why do I need a Lupus Anticoagulant Test?
The LAC test is indicated when the patient is experiencing recurrent miscarriages, unexplainable blood clots in arteries or veins, symptoms such as inflammation, pain, discoloration in the legs, sweating, vomiting, rapid breathing, and prolonged PTT.
What happens during the Lupus Anticoagulant Test?
During the lupus anticoagulant test, the blood sample is collected in special citrated tubes, the plasma is separated through centrifugation and tested. The presence of too many platelet cells or a high level of hematocrit can negatively affect the test result.
What does it mean if you test positive for lupus anticoagulants?
If a person tested positive for lupus anticoagulant, it means that they are at a high risk of blood clots. The doctors prescribe blood thinners in such cases only if they have demonstrated abnormalities in clotting. Steroids are also used for the treatment of LAC. If treated with the right agents, the complications associated with LAC can be minimized.
What are the symptoms of lupus anticoagulants?
The symptoms of lupus anticoagulants include swelling, pain, discoloration in the upper and lower limbs, fatigue, rapid breathing, sweating, chest pain, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, thigh pain, and belly pain.
What is a negative lupus anticoagulant?
The negative lupus anticoagulant means the absence of LAC in the blood and the LAC-associated morbidities. If a systemic lupus erythematosus patient is initially tested negative for LAC, the physician may repeat the LAC test to rule out the possibility of a false-negative test.
What causes positive lupus anticoagulants?
The lupus anticoagulant may develop spontaneously in response to medications like hydralazine, procainamide, isoniazid, penicillin, or infections like syphilis, hepatitis C, Ebola virus, and autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus.
What is PTT lupus anticoagulant?
PTT usually measures the time taken for the blood to clot. It can also reveal the presence of LAC in the blood. A lupus anticoagulant-sensitive activated partial prothrombin test (aPTT) is a type of PTT test which is sensitive to the lupus anticoagulant antibodies and shows more accurate values of LAC.
What is the normal range for lupus anticoagulants?
The normal range of lupus anticoagulants varies from 20-39 MPL or GPL units.
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