Lupus Anticoagulants (LACs) occurs in various clinical conditions, especially autoimmune diseases. They are considered to be a risk factor in patients with otherwise unexplained thrombosis and are often present in women who have recurrent fetal loss. They are also associated with a variety of haemostatic problems such as thrombocytopenia and neurological disorders.
Lupus anticoagulant is confirmed positive only when tested twice 12 weeks apart. Do not perform testing during pregnancy and within the first 3 months post-partum. Testing during pregnancy up until 3 months post-partum can lead to false positive and negative results.
Send whole blood sample(s) at room temperature as soon as possible.
If specimens cannot be shipped immediately, centrifuge and separate plasma within 1 hour of collection, send frozen plasma on dry ice