Anticardiolipin Antibody (ACLA) Test – Price, Purpose, Result [2024]
What is the Anticardiolipin antibody test?
The anticardiolipin antibody or ACLA test is a blood test that detects increased levels of autoantibodies IgG, IgM, and IgA. It is helpful in diagnosing diseases that interfere with blood clotting, like antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). The ACLA IgA, IgG and IgM Test Prices usually range from Rs 500 to Rs 1000 separately and the cost for the combined test is between Rs 1500 to Rs 2500.
The immune system usually creates antibodies to fight infections. However, at times, the body’s immune system faultily makes antibodies against itself, known as autoantibodies. Anticardiolipin antibodies are a type of autoantibody. Whereas Cardiolipins are a type of phospholipids (fats) found in the blood that is important for blood clotting.
Some symptoms concerned with anticardiolipin antibody levels are-
- Shortness of breath
- Migraine headaches
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Low platelet count (Thrombocytopenia)
- Stroke
- Heart attack
- Recurrent unexplained venous or arterial blood clots (thrombotic episodes)
- Pain and swelling due to the thrombotic episodes
- Pregnancy-related- Recurrent miscarriages, especially in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters, Stillbirth
Test details in brief
| Also known as | Cardiolipin antibodies (IgG, IgM, IgA), anticardiolipin, ACL antibody, ACA Test, ACLA Test |
| Purpose | Diagnosis and monitoring of anticardiolipin Antibody syndrome |
| Preparation | No special preparation is needed. |
| Cost | Rs 1500 to Rs 2500 |
| Reporting time | <24 hours |
Anticardiolipin Antibody (ACLA) Test Price
The ACLA IgA, IgG and IgM Test Prices usually range from Rs 500 to Rs 1000 separately, and the cost for the combined test is between Rs 1500 to Rs 2500. The APLA IgG and IgM test costs will be nearly half of the combined prices. The actual price depends on the diagnostic centre and the city. Bookmerilab partners with more than 657 diagnostic centers across India. We provide a 10-50% discount on medical diagnostic tests.
Cost In Popular Diagnostic Centres
The table below lists the prices in different centres. You can click on the ‘price’ in the respective column to get the list of diagnostic centres in your city with their price and discount.
| Name of Lab | ACLA IgA Test Price | ACLA IgM Test Price | ACLA IgG Test Price | ACLA Panel Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redcliffe Labs | Rs 900 | Rs 800 | Rs 800 | Rs 2500 |
| Thyrocare | Rs 500 | Rs 500 | Rs 500 | Rs 1500 |
| Metropolis Healthcare | Rs 900 | Rs 800 | Rs 800 | Rs 2500 |
| SRL Diagnostics | Rs 900 | Rs 700 | Rs 700 | Rs 2300 |
| Dr Lal Path labs | Rs 820 | Rs 820 | Rs 820 | Rs 2460 |
| Vijaya Diagnostics | Rs 1000 | Rs 1000 | Rs 1000 | Rs 3000 |
Cost in different cities
The table below lists the prices in different cities. You can click on the ‘price’ in the respective column to get the list of diagnostic centers in your city with their price and discount.
What is the purpose of the Anticardiolipin Antibody (ACLA) Test?
ACLA IgG, IgM, and IgA tests may be ordered by your doctor to-
- Diagnose the reasons for pregnancy-related complications like
- Pre-natal screening
- recurrent miscarriage
- Premature birth
- Pre-eclampsia (a condition in pregnant women marked by high blood pressure, protein in the urine, or other signs of damage to the kidneys or other organs)
- Diagnose the reason for abnormal blood clotting or abnormal bleeding.
- Assess or monitor a prolonged PTT (partial thromboplastin time)
- Assess the anticardiolipin antibody syndrome. Anticardiolipin syndrome (ACS) is a disorder of the immune system that causes an increased risk of blood clots and miscarriages.
- Diagnosis of autoimmune disorders like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis, etc.
Preparation
Do inform your doctor if you are taking any medicine, both prescription and non-prescription, ayurvedic, etc. Your doctor may advise you to stop the ones that can affect the test results, like antihypertensives ( drugs used for high BP). Do NOT stop any medication on your own.
What is the Procedure for ACLA Test?
It is a fairly simple diagnostic blood test. A blood sample is taken from the vein in your arm or hand by the following steps-
- A technician (phlebotomist) may tie a tourniquet (elastic band) to your arm.
- The phlebotomist will locate your blood vessel.
- Then the site is cleaned with spirit.
- A Needle is inserted into your vein to draw the blood.
- The blood sample is then withdrawn into a syringe or a vial.
- Cotton is placed on the puncture site with mild pressure till the bleeding stops.
- A small band-aid is then placed which may be removed after an hour.
The entire procedure takes only a few minutes.
Risks
It is a very simple and safe test. The risks involved are the same as that in any other blood test. These include-
- Infection at the puncture site if proper sterilization protocol is not followed and the needle is contaminated. This is, however, very rare. You may ensure that your phlebotomist takes out the needle in front of you from a sterile pack.
- Multiple pricks if the blood vessel is not easily found
- Excessive bleeding at the puncture site- Please inform your healthcare provider if you are taking blood thinners or have any bleeding disorders.
- Light-headedness due to stress or heavy bleeding.
Minor pain and bruising that might occur will resolve on their own in a very short time.
Anticardiolipin Antibody (ACLA) Test Results and Interpretation
Normal Levels
| Parameter | Range | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| ACLA IgG | <15.00 | GPL |
| ACLA IgM | <12.50 | MPL |
| ACLA IgA | <12.00 | APL |
ACLA IgG, IgM & IgA Value Interpretation
| ACLA IgG (Unit GPL) | ACLA IgM (Unit MPL) | ACLA IgA (Unit in APL) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| <15.00 | <12.50 | <12.0 | Negative |
| 15.00-20.00 | 12.5-20.0 | 12.0-20.0 | Equivocal |
| 20-80 | 20-80 | 20-80 | Low Positive |
| >80 | >80 | >80 | High Positive |
What does a Negative Result mean?
It means that you do not have these antibodies.
Low to Moderate Values for Anticardiolipin antibodies?
This may mean that the antibodies are present due to a recent health problem like a viral infection or medicine you may have taken.
Higher than normal values
- This may indicate a higher risk for blood clots.
- It may indicate the presence of autoimmune disorders like antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.
- Higher levels in the case of an existing anticardiolipin syndrome (ACS) may point to an increased risk of blood clotting.
Sample Report
Limitations
Although cardiolipin antibodies are commonly related to Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), a positive test for them doesn’t mean you have it. Other tests will be needed to confirm the diagnosis.
A diagnosis of Antiphospholipid Syndrome OR anticardiolipin syndrome can only be made after 2 abnormal blood test results, with at least a 12-week gap between them. This is because harmless anticardiolipin antibodies can sometimes develop temporarily in the body due to an infection or side effects of medicines like Penicillin, phenytoin, etc.
Conclusion
Detecting a specific type and class of anti-phospholipid antibodies helps determine the cause of the condition and manage it appropriately. Anticardiolipin antibodies test is one such test, the other being the lupus anticoagulant and antiphospholipid (APLA) test. These test results must be interpreted after correlating with the clinical signs and symptoms. It is, therefore, essential for you to discuss them with your healthcare provider for a better understanding and course of action.
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FAQs
ACS is an autoimmune condition. This means the immune system, which usually protects the body from infection and illness, attacks healthy tissue by mistake. In ACS, the immune system produces abnormal antibodies called anticardiolipin antibodies. These target proteins are attached to fat molecules (phospholipids), which makes the blood more likely to clot. It’s not known what causes the immune system to produce abnormal antibodies. As with other autoimmune conditions, genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors are thought to play a part in it.
Anticardiolipin syndrome is mostly treated with the help of anticoagulants like warfarin, blood thinners like low-dose aspirin, and steroids.
Disclaimer- This is solely for information and not a substitute for medical advice. Please do not take any medicine without your doctor’s consultation.
Anticardiolipin antibody tests are primarily used along with lupus antibodies to help diagnose:
-Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS)
-The cause of an unexplained blood clot (thrombotic episode)
-The cause of recurrent miscarriages in women
Source
https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=167&contentid=cardiolipin_antibody
How to book the Anticardiolipin Antibody Test?
₹960 ₹1200
ACLA (IgG and IgM)
Dr Garima Saroj
Dr Garima Saroj is a dentist from Manipal college of dental sciences. She has previously worked at ESIC dental college and hospital Delhi and Dentecare multispecialty dental clinic Gurugram. She has a passion for writing for patient education and awareness.