Antiphospholipid antibodies are autoantibodies that bind to negatively charged phospholipids. Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune condition with a variety of clinical symptoms such as arterial and venous thrombosis, thrombocytopenia, recurrent fetal loss, and livedo reticularis as well as cardiac, hematological, and neurological manifestations. It has a greater impact on young women than on young men. Antiphospholipid antibody IgM tests help in the detection and risk assessment of thrombosis in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and APS. This test can be ordered if a person shows signs and symptoms of a blood clot, such as pain and swelling in the extremities, shortness of breath, and headaches. It can also be ordered if a woman has history of miscarriage.
