Cardiolipin Test - IgM

Cardiolipin antibodies are useful in identifying patients with an increased risk of thrombosis, recurrent spontaneous abortions and phospholipid antibody syndrome. Cardiolipin antibody IgM is less sensitive but more specific than Cardiolipin Antibody IgG. Cardiolipin is a complex lipid and an important component of the mitochondria of the cell in the body. Specifically, it is a phospholipid that helps in forming the inner wall or membrane of the mitochondria. Also, it contains more fatty acids than other phospholipids. The anticardiolipin IgM test measures the level of anticardiolipin antibodies in the blood. These antibodies produced by the immune system targets the cardiolipins of the body, which in turn affects its normal functioning. This attack on the cardiolipin can result in clotting disorders like thrombophilia, thrombocytopenia, etc. Also, it increases the risk of miscarriages in the second and third trimesters. The presence of anticardiolipin antibodies increases a person's risk of recurrent blood clots in the veins and arteries, which can have mild to life-threatening complications. Your doctor recommends a Cardiolipin blood test typically when you are suffering undiagnosed blood clots, recurrent miscarriages or autoimmune symptoms. Also, a major application of the Cardiolipin IgM test is in the diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). It is an autoimmune disease that produces antibodies that interfere with the clotting process. An elevated level of Cardiolipin IgM antibodies in the blood can lead to Syphilis, Systemic Lupus erythematosus, Behcet's disease, etc. Additionally, cardiolipin antibodies are a risk factor, but they cannot predict whether a person will have recurrent blood clots or other complications. The presence of antibodies cannot predict the frequency or severity of blood clots if a person does have them. The doctor may also conduct other cardiolipin antibody tests, such as IgA or IgG if they suspect that cardiolipin antibodies are the cause of your health problems. Consequently, the presence of cardiolipin antibodies in the blood does not necessarily indicate a problem. According to some estimates, cardiolipin antibodies can be detected in about 1% to 5% of healthy people.