Anti Phospholipid Test - IgG

Testing for Phospholipid antibodies is indicated in cases of unexplained arterial/venous thrombosis, pregnancy with unexplained fetal deaths, spontaneous abortions, presence of unexplained cutaneous circulatory disturbance like Livido reticularis and presence of Systemic rheumatic disease like LE. This test is also used in cases of unexplained thrombocytopenia, Hemolytic anaemia. Antiphospholipid IgG test is a screening test (a test carried out to detect potential disorders) to determine IgG antibodies against cardiolipin and other proteins responsible for blood clotting. The test detects antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) by checking the level of antibodies present in the body. APS is an autoimmune disorder in which the human body makes proteins (called antibodies) that end up attacking its own cells. This specific syndrome can result in an increased risk of formation of excessive blood clots, called excessive clotting disorder. Blood clots are clumps of blood that are usually formed as a result of an injury. A clotting disorder means people have an increased tendency to develop clots. Coming back to the APS, while antibodies are formed to protect the human body, in some cases, they end up attacking the body instead. In the case of APS, these antibodies attack proteins found on the outermost layer of a cell. These proteins are called cardiolipins. This attack interferes with the formation of blood clots. The antibodies that attack cardiolipins are called cardiolipin antibodies. These antibodies are a type of autoantibodies (because they are an antibody attacking a person's own tissues). These antibodies are frequently found with other antibodies such as lupus anticoagulant and anti-beta-2 glycoprotein. This type of disorder can result in excessive clotting disorder, a low number of platelets and pregnancy issues like miscarriages (accidental abortion) or pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure). Some people are at a high risk of developing antiphospholipid syndrome. It is important that these people take the test to know if the body has an abnormal level of blood clots being formed. High-risk people are: People who smoke People on prolonged bed rest Pregnant women and women in their postpartum period Women taking birth control pills and hormone therapy People with cancer and kidney disease It can occur in both people with lupus and without lupus. With this test, people can know if they are at a higher risk of thrombosis (the formation of blood clots) and can take the required treatment for the same.