APAS Test Results

I got my APAS test results yesterday and here's the report:

Well, of the 5 items tested, only 1 was a little over the normal range, my KCT.

I made a chart to compare the results of my APAS tests from 2009-2012.  So far, I have done the test 3x already...  Looks like there were some improvements in my results over the years... Yipee! :)  But the fact remains, I'm still positive for APAS... huhuhu!  Hope the next time I test for this, it would be within normal range already... :)

MY APAS TEST RESULTS
	1st Test*		2nd Test*		3rd Test**
	7/7/2009		5/26/2010		6/26/2012
	RESULT	CONTROL	RESULT	CONTROL	RESULT	NORMAL RANGE
Lupus Anti-coagulants
KCT	105	70	90	75	79	52-78 sec
APTT	30	25	27	25	35	25-39 sec
DRVVT	30	30	35	30	39	37-47 sec
Anti-Cardiolipin Antibodies
ACA IgG	7.52	15 U GPL U/mL	4.07	15 U GPL U/mL	3.9	0-12 GPL U/ml
ACA IgM	8.58	15 MPL U/ml	8.13	15 MPL U/ml	1.2	0-10 MPL U/ml
*Tested at Reproductive Immunology Center Asia
**Tested at Manila Endocrine Laboratory

Read on to learn more about APAS test.

Antiphospholipid Antibody Test (APA)

Antibodies are special cells that are supposed to help our bodies attack foreign invaders, like bacteria from colds and infections. Sometimes though, the body mistakes its own cells for invaders and attacks them, causing a host of problems. This is the case with antiphospholipid antibodies - they attack our own cells.

Antiphospholipid antibodies are proteins that circulate around in the bloodstream. These proteins bind to cell membranes, making them sticky. This prevents our blood from flowing properly, resulting in blood clots. These antibodies can endanger the health of both you or your baby. High levels of antiphospholipid antibody are often associated with unexplained infertility including: recurrent miscarriage, stillbirth, placental insufficiency, implantation failure and increased rates of IVF failure.

It is thought that antiphospholipid antibodies compromise the placenta which nourishes your baby. Because the antibodies cause clotting, the embryo is cut off from oxygen and nutrient support. As a result, spontaneous miscarriage or fetal death can occur. Clotting can also cause distress to the placenta, making it difficult to have a successful implantation. (Source: sharedjourney.com)

There are several kinds of antiphospholipid antibodies. The two most commonly measured kinds are 1). lupus anticoagulant and 2). anticardiolipin antibody.  These two are closely related, but are not the same antibody.  This means that a person can have one and not the other.

1.Lupus Anticoagulant

Lupus anticoagulant is a specific type of antiphospholipid antibody that exists in your bloodstream.  It is actually a protein, which causes your blood to clot differently in your arteries and veins than it normally should.  

A specialized blood tests called coagulation tests measure blood clotting and are used to find the lupus anticoagulant.  Here are the tests done: 

a). Kaolin Clotting time (KCT)

b). Activated Partial Thromboplastin time (APPT)

c). Dilute Russel Viper Venom Time (DRVVT)

Each of these tests works to detect lupus anticoagulant by measuring the time it takes for a sample of your blood to clot in a test tube.  If it takes longer than normal for your blood to clot inside the test tube, it is more likely that you have lupus anticoagulant in your blood.

2. Anti-Cardiolipin Antibody (ACA)

Cardiolipin antibodies are proteins found in your body that work against cardiolipin. Cardiolipin is a molecule found in your blood platelets and various cell membranes. It is one of a group of molecules called phospholipids. You need cardiolipin in order to help regulate blood clotting throughout your body. Sometimes though, your body can mistake cardiolipin for an attacking substance. As a result, your body creates soldier-like molecules to fight against the cardiolipin. (Source: www.sharedjourney.com)

Women with cardiolipin antibodies have a harder time getting pregnant and carrying their pregnancies to term. This may be because anti-cardiolipin antibodies can cause tiny blood clots, preventing blood from flowing to the reproductive organs or placenta.

Treatment for high antiphospholipid or anticardiolipin antibodies

If you do test high for antiphospholipid or anticardiolipin antibodies, you may be recommended to take low-dose aspirin and the anticoagulant Heparin as treatment. Treatment is aimed at reducing the number of clots in your blood, and restoring blood flow to the placenta.

If you are suffering from unexplained infertility or recurrent miscarriages, it might be a good idea to undergo APAS testing as this might be the cause of your inability to get pregnant or maintain a pregnancy.   Ask your reproductive endocrinologist or your OB about it.

This might just help you... Knowledge is power!