Anticardiolipin IGM

I recently lost a baby due to preterm labor at 22 weeks, the baby lived for eight hours.  Two days after the delivery I had to have a D&C, some blood tests were taken.  My IGM anticardiolipin came back extremly elevated 1t 128, IGG and IGA were normal.  Six weeks later the IGM dropped to 35, and six after that it dropped to 14.  In my next pregnancy would it be ok to just take a baby aspirin or would I need to be on lovenox injections.  I have no health problems, I am 37 years old.  No blood clots were found in the placenta.  What does the high level indicate?

[cdw]

Hi. So sorry to hear about your loss.  It brought tears to my eyes and I have been thinking of you.  I am also positive for IGM anticardiolipins with IGG and IGA normal range.  I am currently 20.3 wks pregnant after repeated losses ranging from 8 wks to 14 wks.  I spent 2 yrs at an infertility clinic and pregnant via IVF(poor egg quality/ovulation problems). I take one b-aspirin/day until 35 wks. During tx I would take 1 during cycle day 1-3 then 2 days 3-???.  Once pregnancy confirmed 1 aday. As for lovenox injections it depends on your MD and your values.  I fell on the lower end of the high range and I was considered "high normal" and only needed B-Aspirin.  You need to speak with your MD/Reproductive Endo to see what protocal needs to be followed for your range. Keep me posted and again I am so sorry..

[BUG LADY]

First, I would like to express my condolences to anyone who has experienced a loss due to undiagnosed elevated anticardiolipin.
The following is my experince.

At 15 weeks and my first pregnancy in July 2003, I presented to my OBGYN for an amniocentisis with ultrasound. At this time they discovered that my amniotic fluid that was too low for an amniocentisis and I also had complete placenta previa. My OBGYN referred me to a Perinatologist for further ultrasound studies. The Perinatologist, who apparently sees this condition frequently, immediately placed me on bedrest,a daily 81mg aspirin with calcium and 2 gallons of water consumption per day.  After one week of this regimen, my anticardiolipin levels came back at 25, no improvement was observed in the fluid with the aspirin therapy and therefore I was started on twice daily heparin injection therapy(5000iu twice daily) with continued water and bedrest.  After 2 more weeks, the fluid was increasing but not fast enough, so I was admitted to the hospital for IV fluids.  After 5 days in the hospital, my fluid had reached 8.5 and at 22 weeks pregnant, the fluid has reached 12.5. The baby is developing on schedule.....thank God!

I consider myself fortunate because unlike so many other women, I experienced no bleeding symptoms from placenta previa and no miscarriages or fetal losses.  I believe this to be because at 35 years old they did an ultrasound sooner and the low fluid was a RED FLAG.  If it were not for my OBGYN's recommendation for an amniocentisis due to increased maternal age, I probably wound have experienced such a loss.  As I discuss this problem with friends and family, it seems that everyone seems to know someone with this problem.  It is comforting to know that we are not alone. My advice to anyone who has experienced such a tragic loss, if you intend to try again, associate yourself with a high risk maternal-fetal physician at a well respected Medical Center prior to attempting again.  Mine saved my baby's life.  Good luck to all of you and thank you for your support on this site.