IGM anticardiolipin

[SIMONMI]

I lost a baby at 22 weeks due to going into premature labor.  The baby lived for eight hours.  Two days after the delivery I needed a D & C, right before the D & C, some blood tests were taken.  My IGM anticardiolpin came back extremely elevated at 128.  IGG and IGA were normal.  My OB/GYN was trying to tell me that I have Lupus.  I have no systemons of lupus whatsoever.  But she says this pregnancy loss is the first symptom of it.  My ANA blood test came back normal on two occassions.  Three months later I had my IGM anticardiolipin tested again and it came back at 14, IGG and IGA both normal again.  This blood test was preformed by a differant lab then the first time.  I am 37 years old with no other health problems.  Do you have any idea why these antibodies would be so elevated and come back down.  I really do not believe I have lupus.

[jennhart84]

A related discussion, what causes elevated IgG anticardiolipin levels was started.

[minnierice]

Hi! I also was diagnosed 10 years ago with Lupus,Fibromyalgia.
also hashimotos thyroiditis which is also an autoimmune disease.
Just within 5 months I've come up with anticardiolipid IGG which was high 3 times so far. I like you am also scared. I don't know what to expect next. It's like one day I feel like any headaches,leg pain or chest pain I get might be a stroke or heart attack or DVT. People don't understand how difficult it is
to live with these fears. I'm A christian and am praying real hard for the Lord to take away my fears. I've had 5 months of unexplained problems like GERD,orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure)Chest pain, tingling and numbness in my hands,fingers,haed and face. 8 times in the hospital in 5 months. Doctors tell me it might be anxiety. I've never had anything to be anxious about. I was in nursing school about to graduate in December 2003. My Lupus doctor is so out of the loop anymore that I'm not sure he couldn't have done something more 5 months ago to control any further symptoms. Anyway, Just hang there and I will put you on my prayer list as well.

[suemarie]

Hello,
This is my first time to comment on all of this, and Ill try to not be to long. First I was dx. with Lupus 8 years ago and since had a battle, from all the overlaping syndromes, many specialists for each organ system. Ive done well emotionaly, tho Ive been unable to work anymore and I enjoyed that very much, I worked in the medical field for 17 years and now am at home, and doing a nutriton class via the internet. Early in my twentys I experienced many misscarrages and ectopic preg. and surg. We never knew then what was causing this to happen, Im 46 now, and we have a 24 yr old son and an 13 yr old daughter, shes what I fight for. As the years went by I knew something was wrong , but was told I was overworked an stressed, Ive come to find out that s what most are told at the beginning of this journey. In the past year Ive experienced 2 strokes , one in the frontal lobe with T2 hyperinten. in the subcortal white matter , several , size  2mm, and then in Feb, a sudden vision lose in one eye and found out again this had happened, I developed seizures due to the disease or the strokes, who knows what came first, however
Im taking Keppra now for the seizures which I didnt know I was having, I thought things where just not so good, and I think I was ignoring some of the symptoms. The headaches are almost gone or the intensty and freq. are just ahout gone. Its great to feel so much better, that way, I also have RA, sjorgen ,vasculitis an several others, tho the one that Scares me and so far Ive been brave is  the antiphosolipid and c-reactive, theres not a thing I can do to prevent a stroke, they are also looking at polychondritis now. My Docs have me on as little meds as possible as I react to so many. Im on 12 of Pred and holding waiting for my adrenals to come back and I wont give up. Klonipin and pepcid and Keppra antiepeleptic , Inhalers,plaquenil on and off, and 2000 to 2500 iu of vit E along with others that I mix in a shake daily,
I use music therary, massage therapy and relaxtion along with some exercise. walking and dancing in my living room Cleaning is exercise enough, since my legs dont work so well anymore, but they still move and I still keep on going .

Im on tonite because in 8 years Im scared. My vision is getting worse, and recently a cyst looking thing came up on my eye lid and I called my eye doc but the nurse said it would  probably drain and made and appt, its been 4 weeks and its gotten worse and Ive called again , an she said oh it will probably just drain one morning, she doesnt seem to understand, they have always seen me right away when something happens and I rarely call unless something does happen. Now its changed the cyst thing
Idont know what it is, its about 1/4 in diameter just above my lase line and now there are vessels to it I noticed 2 days ago and my eye hurts a little and vision is worse, Im going to call in the mornig tho my appt is Wed. Im afraid of surg. I hope it can be taken care of in the office. What do you think it is? In the past I would get these ulcer things kinda like styes and they would go away, but this one didnt and did this. Im afraid and thats not like me,   And is there anyway of knowing when my blood gets to thick.  I take EFA flax oil daily so my blood should be slippery then slick. And the flax oil has helped greatly with the neuralgia.
Any info would be appreciated greatly and Im sorry for taking up so much time. Theres so much more , but it would be a book and I dont want to talk about it at this time , not till I get thru this eye stuff.
Thanks for listiening  Suemarie
My Prayers are with you all.

[megabug]

I recently suffered another miscarrage. My first one was in 01 and now in 03. I have 1ds who is 13months old. I tested positive with the anticardiolipin. My level was a 23 when I learned I was pg and is now a 32. The Rhemy said that I have this syndrome based on further blood work. What are my chances of having healthy pg. At first we thought It was Lupus but further blood work separated that. I am scared and so confused how this came about. At what degree or level do they put you on shots? My high risk dr did not see a concern when I was pg and I m/c. I am also having very early m/c at 6 weeks. Thanks
Ericka

[megabug]

I recently suffered another miscarrage. My first one was in 01 and now in 03. I have 1ds who is 13months old. I tested positive with the anticardiolipin. My level was a 23 when I learned I was pg and is now a 32. The Rhemy said that I have this syndrome based on further blood work. What are my chances of having healthy pg. At first we thought It was Lupus but further blood work separated that. I am scared and so confused how this came about. At what degree or level do they put you on shots? My high risk dr did not see a concern when I was pg and I m/c. I am also having very early m/c at 6 weeks. Thanks
Ericka

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Hello - thanks for asking your question.

Anticardiolipin antibodies are part of a spectrum known as antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS).  APS is characterized by arterial and venous thrombosis and recurrent fetal losses.  There is an association with lupus, but having the anticardioplipin antibody does not necessarily mean you have lupus - there are more specific tests available for the diagnosis of lupus.

Anticardiolipin antibodies can be found in normal, asymtommatic pregnancies - ranging from 0 to 11 percent (median 2 percent).  

For the diagnosis of APS, presence of either IgG and/or IgM anticardiolipin antibody should be found on two or more occasions, at least six weeks apart.  Medium IgM levels range from 20 to 80 and high IgM levels are above 80.  Your level of 14 on repeat testing suggests a low level of anticardiolipin antibody.  

It should be noted that the anticardiolipin antibodies can be elevated from the pregancy itself.

I cannot say for sure whether you have APS or not - you should have this followed by a rheumatologist for proper interpretation of your test results.  

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.