Anti Phospholipid Antibody IgM Test

Anti-Phospholipid antibody IgM test is a quantitative assay conducted to screen the presence of autoantibodies produced against phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidic acid, cardiolipin & phosphatidylserine in the body. This test helps in the diagnosis of thrombosis in patients suffering from Systemic lupus erythematosus (20-35%) and other lupus-like disorders. The test is conducted on a blood sample and is majorly done to detect autoimmune diseases like Lupus, Anti-phospholipid syndrome and to investigate frequent miscarriages during pregnancy.

Wear a half-sleeved shirt on as full-sleeved shirt might pose difficulty in pulling up the sleeves. Do not wear sweater or jacket. No special preparation is required for this test and you can continue any medication that you are taking by informing your doctor. If your blood sample is needed for other tests then fasting may be required in some cases. Please kindly follow the instructions given by the lab.

The Anti-Phospholipid antibody IgM test is advised in cases of presence of unexplained cutaneous circulatory disturbance like Livido reticularis and presence of Systemic rheumatic disease like LE, unexplained arterial/venous thrombosis and pregnancy with unexplained fetal deaths. It is also carried out to diagnose unexplained thrombocytopenia, Haemolytic anaemia & Non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis.

Reference Level

• IgG – GPL U/Ml <10
• IgM– MPL U/Ml <10

Clinical Criteria Arterial / Venous thrombosis - Cardiolipin antibodies (ACL) Fetal Loss - Beta 2 Glycoprotein 1 Antibodies Premature birth - Lupus Anticoagulant (LA)

About 1 ml or just 2 teaspoons of the blood sample will be drawn from your body. This test needs to be conducted in a well-equipped diagnostic lab or medical centre with the Anti-Phospholipid-Antibody-IgM testing facility. The skin on the arm is cleaned with an alcohol pad. In the next step, the needle will be inserted into the body through the vein which is easily visible over the cleaned skin. The blood sample will be collected through the tube attached to the needle which contains the serum gel. The tube is separated from the needle and closed with a lid and with the patient’s name on it. The blood sample tube is shaken down to remove serum from the clot and then it is sent to the research laboratory for examination.