Anti Cardiolipin IgM Antibody

Anti-Cardiolipin is also known as aCL. The anti-cardiolipin IgM antibody test is advised to help investigate the formation of inappropriate blood clots or to help determine the cause of recurrent miscarriage. It is also done for evaluating antiphospholipid syndrome or other autoimmune diseases.

The anti-cardiolipin IgM antibody test measures the levels of anti-cardiolipin IgM antibodies in the blood. Anti-cardiolipin antibodies are autoantibodies which are produced by the immune system. They mistakenly target the body's own cardiolipins which are substances that are found in the outermost layer of cells (cell membranes) and platelets. The ability of the body to regulate blood clotting is affected by these autoantibodies.

Cardiolipins are lipid molecules which play an essential role in the process of blood clotting. The anti-cardiolipin antibodies target the cardiolipins which can result in an increased risk of developing recurrent inappropriate blood clots known as thrombi in veins and arteries such as in deep veins of the legs or lungs. These antibodies can also be related with low platelet count which is known as thrombocytopenia and recurrent miscarriages, especially in second and third trimester. It is also associated with premature labor and pre-eclampsia. 

The anti-cardiolipin antibodies are the most common antiphospholipid antibody. These are a group of autoantibodies which are associated with excessive clotting and autoimmune diseases like lupus. These autoantibodies are detected with other antiphospholipid antibodies, such as lupus anticoagulant and anti-beta-2 glycoprotein 1. These may also be temporarily detected in people having acute infections, HIV/AIDS, some cancers, with drug treatments such as phenytoin, penicillin, and procainamide and in the elderly.

In case a person has formation of inappropriate blood clot, recurrent miscarriages, anti-cardiolipin antibodies, and/or another antiphospholipid antibody, the person may be diagnosed with antiphospholipid syndrome also known as APS. APS can be primary or secondary. The secondary APS is associated with an autoimmune disorder while primary APS is not.