Why when you are on warfarin can't you be tested for Lupus Anticoagulant?

[strawberryblonde]

[tassie]

Just Googling it says that warfarin doesn't interfere with the test but heparin might. Best to check with your doctor though

[Sal0712]

To be tested your blood needs to be at its normal state. This will show how sticky your blood is, and how quickly it clots. If you are taking warfarin your blood will not clot at the normal rate for your body, and so the test wouldn't give you an accurate result. Hope that makes sense!! :o)

[Angelpaws]

Unfortunately for me, my first test WAS done when I was on warfarin and was negative. I was then taken off the warfarin, left without anti-coagulation ....and had a stroke 4 months later. Larraine x

[jeffrey]

Hi, i have just been retested for lupus anticoagulant and anticardiolipin antibodies after 10 yrs. I have been on warfarin for all of those. The result was still the same ie warfarin for life. I went to a haematologist. Hope that helps. Take care

Annie X

[strawberryblonde in reply to jeffrey]

Thanks for all your comments. Its been 8 yrs since been tested have appt with

heamatologist (new one again) and want to be tested again, a lot has happen

since I seen one I like and trust. No you should NEVER stop blood thinners, to

much can happen I stopped to get my wisdom teeth out yrs ago and had 2 seizures!

Do you understand the difference between APS and anticardiolipin antibodies?

[jeffrey in reply to strawberryblonde]

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is the same as Hughes syndrome. Pr Hughes is the person that claims to have discovered it. As far as anticardiolipin antibodies, in laymans terms we have something/s things in our blood that can cause dvts strokes etc. Sorry very vague answer.xxx

[Mair]

I don't know if Warfarin or Heparin sometimes interferes with the lab tests. My lupus anticoag and ACL antibodies have always tested positive, done once a year now for 12 years. The levels are slightly lower since I started taking Warfarin, but still always elevated well above normal. NOBODY is going to take Warfarin away from me and make me risk a stroke! If I'm having a procedure or surgery, I use heparin.

Like Annie says, the hematologist is probably the best person to answer this question. Your GP will only be making a guess.

[Hidden]

I just read that ACL antibodies and Anti-Beta 2 Glycoprotein antibody tests are reliable when you are on blood thinners. The Lupus Anticoagulant is however not considered a true positive when you are on blood thinners. I did read somewhere that the DRVVT is considered to be reliable for the detection of a Lupus Anticoagulant while you are on warfarin. Apparently they took a handful of APS patients and a handful of patients taking Warfarin form heart valve problems. The patients with heart valve problems never showed the presence of a Lupus Anticoagulant in the DRVVT - The Dilute Russell Viper Venom Time. On the other hand, all of the APS patients who were on Warfarin tested positive for prolonged clotting time and a presence of a Lupus Anticoagulant with the DRVVT. I hope this helps some. Here is the link to the study.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/194...

[Lure2 in reply to Hidden]

Do you know that you have answered on a 2 year old question? I guess the persons may have a bit difficult to answer you.

Did you find an APS-doctor?

Kerstin

[Hidden]

Yeah, I know it is a two year old question. I just thought I'd throw that out there in case anyone else was wondering. I hope I was correct. I have bad brain fog at time. If my information is bad, please correct it. I have not found an APS doctor yet. I will make more inquiries in the coming days and weeks. I gotta get my blood sugar under control before I can worry about anything else. Today it is approaching 300. I have several different illness working concurrently to mess me up. I also did not have medical insurance for several months after I was admitted into the hospital. It is very rough across the pond for those of us who cannot afford healthcare. The only reason my hospital bill was paid and I have healthcare insurance right now is because of the Affordable Care Act. If not for that, I was merely seeing a doc ever 6 months for 60 dollars cash, and having him monitor my INR level. That was it. I've just begun to see specialists a few months back. All of these diagnosis are just happening within the past few months. Even the APS confirmation just happened this September. It's all a bit overwhelming for me.