Cardiolipin Test - IgM

Cardiolipin is a complex lipid and an important component of the mitochondria of the cell in the body. Specifically, it is a phospholipid that helps in forming the inner wall or membrane of the mitochondria. Also, it contains more fatty acids than other phospholipids.

The anticardiolipin IgM test measures the level of anticardiolipin antibodies in the blood. These antibodies produced by the immune system targets the cardiolipins of the body, which in turn affects its normal functioning.

This attack on the cardiolipin can result in clotting disorders like thrombophilia, thrombocytopenia, etc. Also, it increases the risk of miscarriages in the second and third trimesters. The presence of anticardiolipin antibodies increases a person's risk of recurrent blood clots in the veins and arteries, which can have mild to life-threatening complications.

Your doctor recommends a Cardiolipin blood test typically when you are suffering undiagnosed blood clots, recurrent miscarriages or autoimmune symptoms. Also, a major application of the Cardiolipin IgM test is in the diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). It is an autoimmune disease that produces antibodies that interfere with the clotting process.

An elevated level of Cardiolipin IgM antibodies in the blood can lead to Syphilis, Systemic Lupus erythematosus, Behcet's disease, etc. Additionally, cardiolipin antibodies are a risk factor, but they cannot predict whether a person will have recurrent blood clots or other complications. The presence of antibodies cannot predict the frequency or severity of blood clots if a person does have them.

The doctor may also conduct other cardiolipin antibody tests, such as IgA or IgG if they suspect that cardiolipin antibodies are the cause of your health problems. Consequently, the presence of cardiolipin antibodies in the blood does not necessarily indicate a problem. According to some estimates, cardiolipin antibodies can be detected in about 1% to 5% of healthy people.

Excessive blood clotting, recurrent miscarriages

A cardiolipin IgM antibody test measures the detection of cardiolipin IgM antibodies in the blood. Cardiolipin antibodies tests are often performed on patients with unexplained blood clots and recurrent miscarriages. High positivity can affect several organs of the body or damage the body.

Some doctors recommend a cardiolipin IgM antibody test if found symptoms include:

• Leg pain
• Tenderness in one leg
• Leg swelling (edema)
• Sudden shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Increased heart rate
• Blood in coughing or sputum (hemoptysis)
• Recurrent miscarriages in women

A cardiolipin IgM antibody test may also be prescribed by your doctor when you have signs and symptoms related to autoimmune disorders.

If the test results show moderate or high levels of cardiolipin IgM antibody in the blood, then further treatment and monitoring is done by your physician or rheumatologist. Repeating the pattern every 12 weeks is recommended for the test.

Several medications are recommended by your healthcare professional to treat high cardiolipin IgM antibodies, such as anticoagulants or antiplatelets. Some low doses of aspirin tablets are usually recommended when results show abnormal antiphospholipid antibodies.

To determine whether your body contains the cardiolipin IgM antibody, this test is recommended by your doctor. After the detection of cardiolipin IgM antibodies in the blood, you may recommend a repetitive cardiolipin IgM antibody test once every 12 weeks.

If previous results of the cardiolipin IgM antibody test are normal or negative, then you can repeat the test annually or every 2 years.

Before the Test

Typically, no specific preparation is needed for a cardiolipin IgM test. However, if this test is paired with another, your doctor might advise you to steer clear of certain foods. To ensure the most precise outcomes, always seek advice from a healthcare provider before the test.

During the Test

A phlebotomist will extract blood from a vein in your arm for the sample. Your experience will likely include-

• The site where the needle will be inserted is disinfected with an antiseptic.
• A tourniquet is wrapped around your arm to enlarge the veins.
• A fresh needle is inserted into the vein to collect the blood. This process could take a few seconds, during which you might experience a minor discomfort from the needle.
• The sample will be placed in a small container labelled with your test information.

After the Test

After the blood is collected:

• A bandaid is applied to the site where the needle was inserted to stop any bleeding.
• You might feel a bit sore or lightheaded, which is normal and nothing to be concerned about. You may be asked to rest for a few minutes.
• Reach out to your doctor if you notice any bleeding, discomfort, or rashes at the site of the puncture.

The presence of cardiolipin IgM antibodies in the blood can be affected by the age of the patient.

The normal ranges for the detection of cardiolipin IgM antibodies are:

• The detection is negative when present in a range of 0-12 MPL.
• The detection is indeterminate when present in a range of 13-19 MPL.
• The detection is low to moderately positive when present in a range of 20-80 MPL.
• The detection is highly positive when present in a range of 81 MPL or above.

Some laboratory criteria for the diagnosis of the antiphospholipid syndrome include the presence of moderate or high levels of IgM or IgG cardiolipin antibodies greater than 40 MPL.

The normal values and reference ranges of the test may vary from lab to lab. Please refer to the ranges mentioned in the report and consult a doctor to understand the interpretation of lab reports

The abnormal presence of cardiolipin IgM can cause several health problems.

Positive value of cardiolipin IgM antibodies:

Highly positive presence of cardiolipin IgM can cause health problems like:

• Abnormal blood clotting: When there is a high positive presence of cardiolipin IgM antibody in the blood, clotting of blood in an abnormal condition or abnormal situation can occur.
• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE): An autoimmune disease in which inflammation in joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart and lungs can affect its tissues. The high positive presence of cardiolipin IgM can cause these types of autoimmune diseases.
• Syphilis: A high level of cardiolipin IgM antibody is seen in a bacterial infection named Syphilis. This begins as a painless sore on the mouth, genitals or rectum. It is usually spread by sexual contact.
• Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS): A medical disorder in which an individual's immune system mistakenly attacks normal proteins in the blood. It is also known as Hughes syndrome sometimes. It is due to the presence of high levels of anticardiolipin (a type of antiphospholipid) IgM in the blood.
• Behcet's disease: A rare medical health disorder caused by the highly positive presence of cardiolipin antibodies in the blood in which inflammation in blood vessels happens.

Additionally, infections or certain medications (like phenytoin) can temporarily increase cardiolipin antibodies. Therefore, it is important to always consult a physician.

Negative value of cardiolipin IgM antibodies:

The negative value of cardiolipin IgM antibodies implies that they are not present or are not detectable in the blood. It is not associated with any disease when cardiolipin IgM is low or absent.