Blood test results

[5678sar]

Hi everyone, due to recent miscarriages I had a blood test this morning. The form said they are testing antiphospholipid antibodies and lupus anticoagulant. I received the form in the post with no details about the results. Does anyone know how long it may take for them to test the blood? I have been feeling weird lately and some of the symptoms fit - bad circulation, daily headaches/pressure behind eyes. I am desperate to get the results asap so i can stop worrying! I am located in the West Midlands, England. Thanks

[HollyHeski Administrator]

Hi, if your GP has arranged the blood tests, results can usually be seen on line 5 - 7 days, if the hospital arranged, then they tell you at your next appointment.

These tests have to be followed up by repeating in 12 weeks time, diagnoses of APS will not be made until both sets are done.

In the meantime keep a log of your symptoms ready to tell your APS Specialist.

[5678sar in reply to HollyHeski]

Thank you For your reply. They were arranged by the fertility department at my local hospital but I don’t have any future appointments booked. I guess I will just have to wait until I receive a letter regarding an appointment. Thanks again.

[HollyHeski Administrator in reply to 5678sar]

They still should copy everything in either your GP?

Leave it a week or so and follow up with clinic, even if it's to confirm 2nd set of tests. It's important not to miss these.

[5678sar in reply to HollyHeski]

Ok thank you very much for the advice

[MaryF Administrator]

Hi, these will come back to you and your GP very quickly, and please make sure your GP refers you to a recommended Hughes Syndrome/APS Specialist, someone who fully understands the condition:

Professor Caroline Gordon

Consultant Rheumatologist

Department of Rheumatology

City Hospital, Dudley Road, Birmingham

West Midlands B18 7QH

Telephone: [phone]

Dr Will Lester

Consultant Haematologist

Department of Haematology

Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham

Queen Elizabeth Medical Centre

Edgbaston, Birmingham

West Midlands B15 2TH

Telephone: [phone]

Dr Steve McKew

Consultant Rheumatologist

Department of Rheumatology

Royal Shewsbury Hospital

Mytton Oak Road, Shrewsbury

Shropshire SY3 8XQ

Telephone: [phone]

Dr Siobhan Quenby

Consultant Obstetrician

University Hospital Coventry

Clifford Bridge Road

Coventry, West Midlands CV2 2DX

Telephone: [phone]

Dr Benjamin Rhodes

Consultant Rheumatologist

Department of Rheumatology

Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham

Edgbaston, West Midlands B15 2TH

Telephone: [phone]

Dr Deva Situnayake

Consultant Rheumatologist

Department of Rheumatology

City Hospital

Dudley Road, Birmingham

West Midlands B18 7QH

Telephone: [phone]

Dr Jonathan Wilde

Consultant Haematologist

Director of the Haemophilia Centre

Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham

Mindelsohn Way

Edgbaston, Birmingham

West Midlands B15 2WB

Telephone: [phone]

Dr Deva Situnayake (privately)

Consultant Rheumatologist

BMI The Edgbaston Hospital

22 Somerset Road, Edgbaston

Birmingham, West Midlands B15 2QQ

Telephone: [phone]

MaryF

[5678sar in reply to MaryF]

Thank you!!!!

[Wittycjt in reply to 5678sar]

Please be sure to make copies of both testings- now and the twelve week retestings- and keep them for yourself, also, to save additional steps in the future. All the best, Cindy

[1BlueDay]

I also have APS or Lupus anticoagulant. No symptoms other than repeated miscarriage. I had to have 2 tests done, firstly a fertility specialist referred me and when it came back positive I was again referred to get the second blood test- they take lots of vials of blood so be well hydrated when you have it done. The fertility specialist then put me on 75mg Aspirin in the morning and 40mg clexane in the evening every day from when we were trying to conceive. My first son I have no idea how my body did it but I didn’t know about the condition and had only 1 miscarriage before having him. I then had another 5 miscarriages before it was figured out and I had my second son. I’m now pregnant with my 3rd, a girl. At no point have I ever seen a specialist to do with APS, just the fertility specialist who to be fair was rubbish!! I also had Clexane 1st time but this time they wouldn’t prescribe it to me as it’s too expensive and they wanted to use a cheaper one. We ended up purchasing £1000 work of clexane from Spain (through the clinic where I was having unnecessary IVF with PGS testing thanks to bad advice from the fertility specialist- a longer story!) and then finally my consultant agreed to write prescriptions for it one month at a time once I was 12 weeks pregnant. So if I hadn’t purchased it I would have miscarried as all 6 miscarriages were 1st trimester. I didn’t want to switch medication from the previous pregnancy as I wanted to stick with what worked before and this was our last chance as I’m getting on a bit!!!!

Anyway, a bit of a moan but a positive outcome so I hope this story helps you understand the struggles but that you can overcome them. In our case we just needed deep pockets and lots of patience. Stay determined and good luck to you.

P.s. if anyone else reading this with experience can advise me I wonder why I’ve never been referred to a specialist incase of other potential health issues????.... thank you xxxx