Yashoda Hospitals > Diagnostics > LAC Test

What is the Lupus Anticoagulant Test?

Lupus anticoagulant is an antiphospholipid antibody synthesized by the body’s immune system. It attacks healthy cells and proteins and can cause clotting disorders, leading to miscarriages, stroke, gangrene, and several other problems.

Antibodies are also known as immunoglobulins. They are proteins that are present in the blood and fight against foreign bodies like viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms, which are commonly termed antigens.

Lupus anticoagulants react to fat molecules, phospholipids, in the blood and interfere with their functioning. The lupus anticoagulant test (LAC) is a series of tests used to measure the level of the antibody lupus anticoagulant in the body. Lupus anticoagulants can result in blood clots in the brain, heart, legs, and lungs, blood vessel narrowing, stroke, and low platelet count.

The name of the test might be a little confusing, as the name indicates the test is not about the disease, systemic lupus erythematosus. It is about the level of an antibody named lupus anticoagulant in the blood.

The lupus anticoagulant test is also known as lupus inhibitor, lupus anticoagulant panel, modified Russell viper venom test, and dilute Russell viper venom test.

Other antiphospholipid antibodies include an anticardiolipin antibody, false-positive syphilis, anti-beta-2-glycoprotein-1, and anti-prothrombin.

Book Appointment

Online Video Consultation

Book Doctor Appointment

Health Packages

Need Any Medical Help?

Talk to Our Health Care Experts!

Need Any Medical Help?

Have any Questions?

Why Choose Yashoda Hospitals

Yashoda Hospitals is committed to providing world-class treatment for patients from across the globe. With the unique combination of state-of-the-art technology, intuitive care, and clinical excellence, we are the healthcare destination for thousands of international patients in India.

Comprehensive Care

On the journey to good health, we understand that it is important for you to feel at home. We plan out all aspects of your trip.

Expert Doctors

Experienced specialists perform non-invasive and minimally invasive surgeries to provide the best treatment for international patients.

Cutting-Edge Technology

Our hospitals are equipped with advanced technology to perform a wide range of procedures and treatments.

Clinical Excellence

We deliver excellence by delivering quick and efficient healthcare and through pioneering research that helps all our future.patients.

References

https://www.webmd.com/lupus/what-is-lupus-anticoagulant-test#:~:text=The%20lupus%20anticoagulant%20test%20is,%2C%20viruses%2C%20and%20other%20germs.

Frequently Asked Questions

The lupus anticoagulant test is used to determine the reason for recurrent miscarriages, unexplained blood clots in the arteries or veins, and prolonged partial thromboplastin time (PTT) and evaluate antiphospholipid syndrome.

The results of the LAC test might be complicated, and a qualified laboratory technician or physician will best explain it. If PTT is normal, that may indicate the absence of LAC; however, this can only be confirmed by performing a LAC-sensitive PTT.

The LAC test is indicated when the patient is experiencing recurrent miscarriages, unexplainable blood clots in arteries or veins, symptoms such as inflammation, pain, discoloration in the legs, sweating, vomiting, rapid breathing, and prolonged PTT.

During the lupus anticoagulant test, the blood sample is collected in special citrated tubes, the plasma is separated through centrifugation and tested. The presence of too many platelet cells or a high level of hematocrit can negatively affect the test result.

If a person tested positive for lupus anticoagulant, it means that they are at a high risk of blood clots. The doctors prescribe blood thinners in such cases only if they have demonstrated abnormalities in clotting. Steroids are also used for the treatment of LAC. If treated with the right agents, the complications associated with LAC can be minimized.

The symptoms of lupus anticoagulants include swelling, pain, discoloration in the upper and lower limbs, fatigue, rapid breathing, sweating, chest pain, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, thigh pain, and belly pain.

The negative lupus anticoagulant means the absence of LAC in the blood and the LAC-associated morbidities. If a systemic lupus erythematosus patient is initially tested negative for LAC, the physician may repeat the LAC test to rule out the possibility of a false-negative test.

The lupus anticoagulant may develop spontaneously in response to medications like hydralazine, procainamide, isoniazid, penicillin, or infections like syphilis, hepatitis C, Ebola virus, and autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus.

PTT usually measures the time taken for the blood to clot. It can also reveal the presence of LAC in the blood. A lupus anticoagulant-sensitive activated partial prothrombin test (aPTT) is a type of PTT test which is sensitive to the lupus anticoagulant antibodies and shows more accurate values of LAC.

The normal range of lupus anticoagulants varies from 20-39 MPL or GPL units.