Does covid cause a positive aps results? - Hughes Syndrome A...

Hughes Syndrome APS Forum

10,413 members10,622 posts

Does covid cause a positive aps results?

Charts profile image
11 Replies

I had covid in January 2022, tested positive for beta 2 glycoprotein 4 weeks later, then doc tested another week after that positive again and then 12 weeks after ther last one which was positive and numbers nearly doubled with the 12 week after test.

So then the rheumatologist says I see u had covid in January and covid can cause people to test positive for aps. So i said I had covid in January and the latest test for aps again in May I wouldn't still be testing positive due to covid. Am I right? That's like 4 months after covid. So he didn't want to diagnose me with aps!

So i have to have another test and just recovering from a cold which I'm now paranoid was covid and feel like I'm back to square 1 as if its still positive on my next test im going to think its from my recent cold (in case it was covid again) and never feel convinced that I actually have aps. Surely if this next test is positive it will be my fourth test, that should mean its aps besides all the covid business.

I thought I read some people may have tested positive but they were the ones who were hospitalised with severe covid. I had it mild and was fine

Written by
Charts profile image
Charts
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
11 Replies
Star13 profile image
Star13

Being diagnosed with APS is not just about having positive blood tests 12 weeks apart. You need to meet the diagnostic criteria which also says that you should have had a blood clot or 3 pregnancy losses in the case of obstetric APS. Sometimes you can be dx with some of the manifestations of APS without a clot if you also have high antibodies and are triple positive.What symptoms do you have and have you had any clots?

Charts profile image
Charts in reply toStar13

My symptoms seem to be neurological, twitching, spasms, movement disorder/seizures, off balance. I had 2 early miscarriages and an ectopic about 10 years ago and since had two children. My 1st successful pregnancy my liver stopped functioning towards the end so he was induced 3 weeks early.

KellyInTexas profile image
KellyInTexasAdministrator

I agree with star 13, and a history of your journey will be important.

12 weeks between positive test results is to rule out transient false positives from infections. That’s the time line,

MaryF profile image
MaryFAdministrator in reply toKellyInTexas

Agreed, and it is a good idea to write out your medical history in bullet points, for any medical appointments and also include relatives past and present who have had miscarriages, or strokes/heart attacks and at early age and other autoimmune conditions including thyroid disorders. MaryF

Charts profile image
Charts in reply toMaryF

I wrote down everything and he didn't ask me anything about history or my symptoms to be honest

GinaD profile image
GinaD

Antibodies go up and down depending on viral, bacterial and allergen exposure. So yes, having positive blood tests by themselves is not necessarily indicative of APLS. Your body brought out the gatling guns when you contracted covid. Those guns should be safely housed when your immune system gives the "all clear" immuno - siren. In my case, I had multiple cases of mono, (aka glandular fever) then years of blood clots and mni strokes before I was diagnosed. Finally, after an APS diagnosis I was given warfarin, which stopped the clotting but my APS numbers remained high. Then (almost by accident) I went on a gluten free diet in 2004 and since them all my APS numbers have fallen to a level one hematologist called "boring." So, in my case, the gatling guns were brought out to fight mono, but then my immune system confused gluten with the epstein barr virus and the gatling gun firing continued with my own blood cells as the unintended victims. I remain on warfarin but my APS numbers remain low to the point that a couple of hematologists (I only saw them once) suggest I come off warfarin. No. The exact details of autoimmune reaction to APS are still in a state of flux, so I want to stay on warfarin. But if you have no symptoms, then the gatling guns, while maybe still in preverbal position, seem not to be causing any harm. If so, then with time, the immune system will house those guns without any need of additional meds.

Charts profile image
Charts in reply toGinaD

Yes I think changing my diet is something I will try when I finally get to the bottom of all this.

Ray46 profile image
Ray46

Even people with milder covid can have significant auto-immune response afterwards, especially if prone to auto-immunes (I know a crohn's sufferer who was fine with that actual covid but the chrons flare up after was very serious). APS antibodies are just one of the auto-antibodies covid is known to trigger.

AS others have said though, more important is the complete history and why you are being tested for APS anti-bodies in the first place, as just a positive test result (or two or three...) is not enough for a diagnosis.

Charts profile image
Charts in reply toRay46

But even if covid did trigger the antibodies surely they would go back to normal range a few weeks after if that person didn't have aps? Especially by the 12th week.

Jumper99 profile image
Jumper99 in reply toCharts

I think that’s a big assumption, no one knows what Covid can or will do yet. There still not enough long term data. There are people who have had long covid for a couple of years but no one knows why, as one example. But even if your antibodies have been permanently triggered that is not the same as having the full APS. There are people who always test positive but do not go on to clot and don’t have symptoms requiring anticoagulation. I think is termed antiphospholipid antibody positive rather than APS. This maybe what you have.

GinaD profile image
GinaD

There might be a food a heavy metal , etc, etc, that your immune system associates with Covid.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Is it possible to only test positive for APS in pregnancy?

I tested positive for APS on the first blood test, this was whilst I was pregnant. The pregnancy...
Esmes2013 profile image

Does Anti-phosphatidylserine = APS diagnosis?

Hello! I could really use some direction. (Located in US). I tested positive - twice - for...
ChicagoCubs profile image

Tested positive and then negative for APS

Hi I have tested positive for cardiolipin antibodies for the last 6 years. However, my last blood...
DebsT profile image

What type of Misscarraige does APS cause?

My daughter-in-law has suffered from headaches and migraines from her teens. She had a brain MRI a...
WendyWoo50 profile image

APS, Covid and pregnant

Hi, I was diagnosed with APS after 3 miscarriages. I have now conceived through IVF and I am 15...

Moderation team

See all
KellyInTexas profile image
KellyInTexasAdministrator
MaryF profile image
MaryFAdministrator
HollyHeski profile image
HollyHeskiAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.