The Lupus Anticoagulant Test is a life-saving test that helps detect the presence of Lupus Anticoagulants, considering that blood clots can cause a lot of damage to the body.
Imagine you recruit some soldiers to guard your house.
You expect that they will fight any intruder that may want to get access to your house.
You expect that keeping you safe as well as your property is what their life’s mission must be.
Imagine these soldiers you just recruited turning against you, destroying your property, and even beginning to wage a war against you and your household. Devastating, right?
This is the case that arises from having lupus anticoagulants.
Lupus Anticoagulants
Lupus anticoagulants are a type of antibody produced by the body that attacks healthy cells and cell proteins in an individual’s body
Lupus Anticoagulants are usually associated with an immune disorder called antiphospholipid syndrome.
1. Why is the test being carried out?
Lupus anticoagulants are autoantibodies associated with excessive blood clotting in the body.
Small blood clots as a result of lupus anticoagulants can cause complications in pregnancies, therefore leading to miscarriage.
The lupus anticoagulant test is usually carried out to detect the presence of lupus anticoagulant antibodies in the body.
2. Signs and symptoms of lupus anticoagulants
Since lupus anticoagulant is usually associated with blood clots, blood clots may occur in different parts of the body and come with their own signs and symptoms; however, if the individual has strong antibodies present in the body, then blood clots may not occur.
If a blood clot is found in the heart or lungs, the following signs and symptoms may be seen:
- Excessive sweating or perspiration
- Intense Chest pain
- Fatigue and Dizziness
- Difficulty breathing.
If a blood clot is found in the Arms or legs, the following signs and symptoms may be seen:
- Numbness of the arms and legs
- Difficulty in breathing
- Swelling in arms or legs
- Discoloration of arms or legs depends on where the blood clot is found.
If a blood clot is found in the kidney or stomach, the following signs and symptoms may be seen:.
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Bloody stool
- Belly pain
- Thigh pain
Lupus Anticoagulants Test
1. How is the test carried out?
It is carried out by a health practitioner who uses a syringe to draw out blood from your veins, and the blood sample is placed in a sterile test tube or vial for testing and appropriately labeled for easy identification.
It takes less than 3 minutes to complete this procedure.
2. Are there any special preparations?
There is no preparation needed to carry out this test.
3. Is there any risk associated with this procedure?
There is no risk; you may only experience a slight swelling on the spot where blood was drawn.
4. Outcomes of Partial Thromboplastin Test
The normal clotting time is usually between 8 and 15 minutes; however, if it takes a longer time for the blood to clot, then this could be the outcome of the test
- The test may show that an individual may have hemophilia, which is the inability of a person’s blood to clot
- It may show that an individual has liver problems or disease, as liver problems usually affect the clotting process.
- It may show that an individual has lupus anticoagulants, which are characterized by the immune system attacking the coagulation factors.
If the partial thromboplastin test is carried out and the individual or patient tests positive for lupus anticoagulants, then other blood tests may be carried out to detect any other health condition.
Some of these blood tests include:
- Anticardiolipin antibody test
- Kaolin clotting time
- Coagulation factor assays
- Dilute Russell viper venom test (DRVVT)
- LA-sensitive PTT
- Beta-2 glycoprotein 1 antibody test
All these blood tests carry little or no risk, except for swelling or irritation at the point at which the blood sample was drawn.
How is lupus anticoagulant treated?
Lupus Anticoagulant Treatments It differs from person to person, and it’s usually the diagnosis and severity of the condition.
Lupus anticoagulants can be treated with the following methods:
- Steroids can be administered. Steroids are usually used to inhibit the production of lupus anticoagulants by the immune system, e.g., prednisolone and cortisone.
- Blood thinners such as Heparin and Warfarin are also prescribed; this reduces the production of vitamin K by the liver since vitamin K aids blood clotting.
- A change or Modification of lifestyle may be required, such as
- Reduced Intake of alcohol
- Quit smoking
- Regular exercising
- Reduction in the intake of diets or foods rich in vitamin K.
While lupus anticoagulants can be life-threatening if not detected on time, they are treatable and can be managed so that you can live the best quality of life.
The key to getting ahead of any health challenge is regular medical checkups and early detection.
Isioma Enuonye
Isioma is a graduate of Babcock University, where she bagged a degree in Microbiology she is a Content writer, Digital Marketing Executive as well as a Social Media Manager with over 5 years of experience in this field. She is passionate about writing and digital marketing.
