How is antiphospholipid syndrome diagnosed?

How is antiphospholipid syndrome diagnosed?

Antiphospholipid syndrome is diagnosed through more than one blood test that checks for antiphospholipid antibodies. This test is usually only taken by people with blood clots and/or individuals who are experiencing recurrent (frequent) miscarriages. Some people can have antiphospholipid antibodies and never experience a blood clot.

The screening for antiphospholipid syndrome requires three kinds of blood tests to check for antiphospholipid antibodies. Each individual test cannot find all of the possible antibodies, so the tests are often all used together. At least one of the three types of blood tests must be positive two different times three months or more apart in order for the person to be diagnosed with antiphospholipid syndrome.

Some people have antiphospholipid antibodies but never have signs or symptoms of the syndrome. Just because you have the antibodies doesn't mean that you have antiphospholipid syndrome. To be diagnosed with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), you must have APS antibodies in addition to a history of health problems related to the disorder, such as blood clots and/or frequent miscarriages.