Lupus Anticoagulant

The Lupus Anticoagulant (LA) test is a blood test used to detect autoantibodies that increase the risk of abnormal blood clotting.

• It's an autoantibody (produced by your immune system) that targets phospholipids or proteins bound to phospholipids, which are essential for normal blood clotting.
• Despite the name, most people with lupus anticoagulant do not have lupus (SLE).
• It is part of a group of antibodies associated with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), a condition that causes increased risk of clotting in veins and arteries.

Purpose of the Test

The Lupus Anticoagulant test is used to:

• Unexplained blood clots (deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, stroke)
• Recurrent miscarriages (especially in the 2nd or 3rd trimester)
• Prolonged clotting time (aPTT) on routine labs
• Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS) – along with anticardiolipin and beta-2 glycoprotein I antibodies
• Lupus or other autoimmune conditions, when clotting symptoms are present

Who Should Consider the Lupus Anticoagulant Test?

• People with Unexplained or Recurrent Blood Clots
• Women with Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
• Individuals with Prolonged Clotting Tests (aPTT)
• Patients Suspected of Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS)
• People with Autoimmune Diseases
• People with Unexplained Stroke or Other Thrombotic Events