APA-IgM Phospholipid Antibody Serum

The APA-IgM Phospholipid Antibody Serum test measures the concentration of IgM APA in the bloodstream.

• The APA-IgM Phospholipid Antibody Serum test is typically conducted to diagnose and monitor an increased risk of thrombosis in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) or lupus-like disorders. SLE is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and damage to various organs and tissues. Lupus-like disorders are conditions that share some features with SLE but do not meet the full criteria for diagnosis. Patients with SLE or lupus-like disorders may have a higher prevalence of APA than the general population and may develop a condition called antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), which is characterized by thrombosis and/or pregnancy morbidity in the presence of persistent APA.
• The test can also help differentiate between primary and secondary APS. Primary APS occurs in the absence of any other autoimmune disease, while secondary APS occurs in association with another autoimmune disease, such as SLE or lupus-like disorders.

The APA-IgM Phospholipid Antibody Serum test may be recommended in the following situations:

• When a patient presents with signs and symptoms of thrombosis, such as pain, swelling, redness, or warmth in the affected area; chest pain, shortness of breath, or coughing up blood; headache, confusion, or vision changes; or abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting.
• When a patient has a history of unexplained pregnancy loss, fetal growth restriction, or pre-eclampsia.
• When a patient has a confirmed or suspected diagnosis of SLE or lupus-like disorders and needs to assess the risk of developing APS.
• When a patient has a positive result for other types of APA, such as IgG or IgA APA, and needs further confirmation and specificity of the antibodies involved.

IgM APA positive may suggest an increased risk of thrombosis and/or pregnancy complications in patients with SLE or lupus-like disorders. It may also indicate the presence of secondary APS in association with another autoimmune disease. 

The test typically involves a blood draw, where a healthcare professional will collect a small sample of blood from a vein, usually in the arm. The procedure is relatively quick and minimally invasive.

Patients may be advised to follow specific instructions before the test, such as fasting for a certain period or discontinuing certain medications. It’s essential to follow your healthcare provider’s guidance to ensure accurate test results.

Additional tests that may be ordered alongside the APA-IgM Phospholipid Antibody Serum test include:

• Antiphospholipid antibodies (APA) panel: To measure other types of APA, such as IgG and IgA APA, as well as other phospholipid-dependent antibodies, such as lupus anticoagulant and anti-beta2-glycoprotein I antibodies.
• C-reactive protein (CRP) test: To measure another acute phase protein that indicates inflammation.
• Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) test: To measure how quickly red blood cells settle at the bottom of a tube, which reflects inflammation.
• Complete blood count (CBC) test: To evaluate the number and quality of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in the blood.
• Coagulation tests: To assess the ability of the blood to clot and the function of clotting factors.
• Protein electrophoresis test: To identify any abnormal proteins in the urine that may indicate kidney damage or APS nephropathy.
• Biopsy test: To obtain a tissue sample from an affected organ or site and examine it for thrombosis or APS-related lesions.

• APA-IgM test
• IgM antiphospholipid antibody test