Can anyone tell me if APS is hereditary? Dr. says it came from parent. Wondering if my kids can get it.

[ah0923]

[Salty]

It can be hereditary. My brother and I both have it. We both have an elevated IgM anticardiolipin and a prolonged PT (prothrombin time). My 10 year old son also has a prolonged PT. He gets migraines, dizzy spells, etc that go away with an aspirin daily. It is clear this was inherited from my father's side of the family.

[Hidden]

Hi,

My father and I have it both. My brother hasn't. My middlest son (4 years old) was tested, but had no antibodies yet. The children immunologist told us it could be possible he would be possitive within a few years. If he gets new or more symtoms he should be tested again. We think our grandmother (1904) had it also, because she had a stroke at very young age, rheumatic problems and early dementia.

Gr. Ann.

[AlisonT2]

Hi, at my last appointment at St Tommy's haemo I asked about this and was told that although it tends to run in families they cant be sure whether or not it is hereditary {I thought that was one and the same, but apparently not}. For it to be hereditary I am sure that I was told they can trace it back to origin which at this oresent time they havent been able to. So if you are anything like me you will be none the wiser. Best wishes Alison

[ratbert in reply to AlisonT2]

"Genetic disorders may also be complex, multifactorial, or polygenic, meaning they are likely associated with the effects of multiple genes in combination with lifestyles and environmental factors. Multifactorial disorders include heart disease and diabetes. Although complex disorders often cluster in families, they do not have a clear-cut pattern of inheritance. This makes it difficult to determine a person’s risk of inheriting or passing on these disorders. Complex disorders are also difficult to study and treat because the specific factors that cause most of these disorders have not yet been identified."

That sounds like a fair description of APS to me.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genet...

[AlisonT2 in reply to ratbert]

Thank you for this it has certainly made it a lot clearer for me

[loulou123]

mine also came from a parent and my two daughters are going to be tested for ap s

[MaryF Administrator]

I believe there is ongoing research. My father would have had this, both my sisters, and now my daughter, plus Lupus, like myself and now they suspect my son. Mary F x

[GinaD]

My understanding is that one does not inherit a specific autoimmune disease, rather, one inherits a tendency to get an autoimmune disease. Environmental factors (usually unknown) play a great role. Further, autoimmune diseases seem to cluster into groupings and if one comes down with an autoimmune disease it is more likely to be one in the same grouping as preceding relatives.

There are reports (sorry, I can't quote them now,) of separated-at-birth identical twins wherein one comes down with an autoimmunity and the other does not. We are all waiting with baited breath for more research to outline exactly which environmental triggers are associated with, or lead to, (and the mechanisms by which this happens) which diseases.

One fascinated trivia tid bit which I have taken to heart -- eating alfalfa sprouts can lead to lupus flairs in people who have a tendency toward lupus, or have lupus but are in remission. (This prompted a big Ah Ha! in my sister who realized why she got swollen lymph glands whenever she shopped at this particular store -- they had sprouts, which she liked and ate. Since giving up sprouts on her salad she has felt more consistently better.)

But at this point, with the possible exception of sprouts as noted above, and possibly wheat (read up on gluten sensitivity and how the genome of wheat has been altered by Big Ag this century) there is little point in trying to second guess what to avoid.

We just try to cheer on those rheumatologists and molecular biologists who seek to tease out these interactions.

Gina

[APSdsntHaveMe]

I have been asking this same question since.I was diagnosed in May of 2010. As of last Thursday my mother tested positive for anticardiolipin antibodies. This was the second time she tested positive. My mother had a heart attack at the age of 48 and between the age of 48 anmom had 4 heart attacks 9 TÍAs and many other health issues. We both had problems with PMDD depression anxiety and easily getting sick with viruses and infections. Now I am worried because When We look back at our family history We can see symptoms in other women in our family so our worry is my daughter will be fighting APS later in life. When I ask the doctors if my kids should be tested I am told it doesnt run in families and i dont need to worry about my kids having it. I disagree and I will be proactive for my childrens sake and their quality of life.

[jetjetjet]

from what i am understanding . it isn't --- but it depends on which studies you read-- nor is it transferable. this is my understanding-------------- jet

[Zezes-nan]

My heamotologist (sorry if thats spelt wrong) said he couldn't say either way as opinions vary. When I asked if my daughters should be tested he said it was up to them. The youngest has had 1 little girl and is pregnant again whilst her sister said its something she will think about when she is in a long term relationship and considering starting a family.

I only got tested because I had a pulmony embolism whilst in hospital after being diagnosed with transverse myeltis.

[happee1]

according to my doctor it is...we think my dad had it and his dad before him...my dad died from a heart attack at 48 and my grandfather at 37 years old..both from heart attacks..i have cousins , on my fathers side, that have the same disease and lupus too.. thankfully i don't have lupus...

i would have your children tested..it can't hurt (except in your pocketbook the tests are expensive, at least in my world,) and can only help prevent an episode in the future..good luck

[Hidden]

Hi there, I was diagnosed in 2008 with APS. No trace of it in my huge family. My twin brother also has no trace of APS. My daughter has been tested for it but no she does not have it, So, where on earth did I get it from ???