Lupus anticoagulant

Even if you were lucky enough to see just one series of the famous medical series "Doctor House", you should have known about this disease. It's about lupus erythematosus , of course! Many of the disease only from the series and learned, but in fact, red lupus is much closer than it may seem ...

What is a lupus anticoagulant and what is its norm?

Lupus anticoagulant - antibodies IgG against blood enzymes and phospholipids. This specific name was obtained by immunoglobulin because it was first found in the blood of patients suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus.

Lupus anticoagulant (BA) in the body suppresses the action of the protein prothrombin - the most important element responsible for blood coagulation. By the way, the presence of lupus anticoagulant in the blood does not mean that a person is ill with lupus erythematosus.

The exact cause of the appearance of antibodies VA in the body was not mentioned, but, most likely, it is caused by problems with immunity and transferred infectious diseases.

Even in a healthy body, tests can reveal a lupus anticoagulant, but it is not worth worrying about it if its level does not exceed the norm. The health standard of lupus coagulum, established by physicians: from 0.8 to 1.2 conventional units.

When are tests for the detection of lupus anticoagulant prescribed?

Analyzes showing the presence of lupus coagulant in the blood are classified as non-standard. These are special studies that usually do only as directed by a doctor.

Doctors do the same for analysis of the presence of lupus anticoagulant in the following cases:

1. This is one of the main tests when examining pregnant women.
2. Analyzes of VA are taken with venous and arterial thrombosis.
3. To diagnose the syndrome of APS, you will also need data on the presence of BA in the blood.
4. If a person suffers from permanent autoimmune diseases, the body should also be checked for the presence of a lupus anticoagulant.

Laboratories in which it is possible to pass tests for the presence of lupus anticoagulant are, as a rule, private centers that serve patients at reasonable prices.

Before you pass the analysis, you should prepare:

1. Analysis is given on an empty stomach.
2. At the time of the analysis, the patient should not take medication. Otherwise, you need to specify what and in what doses is taken.
3. The treatment aimed at normalizing the level of lupous anticoagulant may be incorrect if the patient used alcohol, fatty food before the analysis, was physically overexerted (the analysis may show inaccurate data in that case).

What if the lupus anticoagulant is positive / negative?

The most ideal test result is a lupus anticoagulant below or within normal limits. But even in this case it is best to take the tests again. One hundred percent to be sure of the results is possible only after two or three tests - this is a very specific "infection". The same goes for the positive result, by the way - you can breathe a sigh of relief only after several satisfactory results.

If the tests showed that the lupus anticoagulant is still elevated, this may mean that the patient suffers from the syndrome of antifosfolipid syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis , multiple myeloma. Only an expert should make an accurate diagnosis. He also helps to choose the appropriate treatment - you can not lower the level of lupus anticoagulant by yourself in any case!