Hi, I am new to this group. I am 34, and am trying for my first baby for 3 years. I had two miscarriages. One was a year ago at 7 weeks(twins) and one was very early days - a chemical pregnancy last month. I have pushed for investigations and I have been sent a blood test form (Through NHS) to have APS and also lupus Anticoagulant test done however they have said I need to wait 12 weeks from miscarriage for these tests. I am frustrated and I know it’s takes a while for the results. I would like to get the tests done now, even if I pay privately.
Does anyone know if I really do need to wait 12 weeks, and if so, why that is?
Also, I am very new to reading about APS, are there any other signs that I may have it? I also have hashimotos thyroiditis and I know that autoimmune conditions increase the chance of other conditions too.
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I am so very sorry to read this post. You have suffered many traumas.
Waiting 12 weeks after a miscarriage to ensure your hormones return to normal levels.
Others here will advise you about the tests.
The lupus anticoagulant test is not a test for systemic lupus erythematosus, but a complicated clotting test. There will be other blood tests you need.
Thank you for your message. I read that some other hospitals only ask you to wait 6 weeks after miscarriage. And as it was a chemical pregnancy I think my hormones were very low. But I guess I’ll just have to try and be patient and wait the 12 weeks!
I’m very sorry to read of your losses. They are heartaches that will be forever a part of your journey.
The very good news is that if you do have APS, and it does sound very possible as I’m sure you are reading about and seeing where you may fit, is that heparin injections every 12 hours and often also a little added aspirin is just what’s needed for a successful pregnancy.
Please find a recommended list of APS specialists and OBGYN specialists on the website :
12 weeks time between blood draws is to verify false positive wasn’t the case the first draw. A false positive might be for example, an infection of some kind.
It would be standard no material where you go to wait the 12 weeks, so just hold tight.
What’s important is how they are interpreted once they are in, especially if they are borderline, and if you are symptomatic of APS.
What is your medical history even apart from pregnancy complications? ( This will be important - it’s important because not only do you need help if it’s simply obstetric APS, but if you have a tendency to APS even when not Pregnant, that needs to be determined also.)
This is where taking a family history is very important. Do you have autoimmune diseases in your family history?
These will be the kind of questions that a very astute rheumatologist will ask you .
Hi Kelly! Thank you so much for your message. I didn’t realise I had to wait 12 weeks between blood draws, I meant that they said I have to wait 12 weeks after miscarriage before the first test can be done. I have only hashimotos, no other health issues that are diagnosed although I have always suspected something isn’t quite right with me due to numerous mild symptoms! Maybe this is why!! No other autoimmune conditions in my family but they are hopeless at going to the doctors so they may have!!! Are there any symptoms that I should look out for?
My guess ( only my guess) is you will need to wait 12 weeks after your miscarriage to be tested initially to have your blood viscosity set itself naturally back to pre pregnancy norm normal - for you. ( and THAT will be the real question we are after... )
You see, every woman when pregnant will have slightly thicker blood than pre pregnancy. In fact, a d dimer test can be slightly elevated in pregnancy. This can be normal. Also, if you had APS ( obstetric APS) antibodies likely it’s would want to be seen if that would be cleared out with pregnancy and it’s associated hormones cleared.
So all this needs to be re set to zero to make sure there are no questions at all if your when you are tested the first time.
Hashimotos is one of the “travelers” that is often seen in tandem with APS. The others are lupus, and Sjögren’s. Rheumatologists will check to make sure these conditions don’t co exist, or creep up. I’m regularly checked.
Thank you! That all makes sense about waiting 12 weeks now. I have suspected Sjögren’s before actually, I have suffered with what doctors are saying are dry eyes for years. Nothing seems to help though, they have prescribed all sorts of eye drops. I also have really dry nostrils and lips! I am in Birmingham Uk, are you in Texas!? I have visited Texas many times, I would love to live there! I
I am in Texas- I’m in central Texas , in the Hill country. I’m about an hour north west of San Antonio. ( we are having a Terrible time with Covid 19... we are making world news right now ... not in a good way I’m afraid. You would not want to be here now.... 😳
I’m glad you had the opportunity to visit our Lone Star State.
Our daughter (28) just flagged for Sjögren’s. She also has evidence of scleroderma from a biopsy taken during an endoscopy. One of her APS antibodies had something off with the clotting time- but it may be a bleeding problem. It’s unclear at the moment,
She is in Hydroxychloroquine.
She would like to start a family in the near future.
Sorry to hear about your losses. My daughter has APS with blood tests going from negative to positive . Her 2 pregnancy were a success with the help of lovenox injections and progesterone suppositories (14 weeks only ) . She was monitored every 2 weeks with blood tests and sonograms. You need an OB Specialist that understands the disease and is proactive . She has a son 9and a daughter 4 and she knows how lucky she is to have them. God willing you will be blessed!🙏🏻
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