APLA Test: Booking, Price, and Results

About APLA Test: Booking, Price, and Results

Field	Value
Also Known As	Antiphospholipid Antibody Test, APA Test, Lupus Anticoagulant Test, Anticardiolipin Antibodies Test, Anti-β2 Glycoprotein I Test, Hughes Syndrome Panel
Sample Type	Venous blood (citrated plasma and serum)
Fasting Required	No fasting required; eat and drink normally before the test
Report Time	Same day
Recommended For	Adults of any gender, particularly women with recurrent pregnancy loss
Price	Starting at ₹3,900

What is an APLA Test?

An APLA test (Antiphospholipid Antibody Test) is a blood test that looks for special proteins in your immune system that are acting confused. Instead of protecting you, these proteins accidentally attack your own body. This can lead to unwanted blood clots or problems during pregnancy.

The test collects two types of blood samples — citrated plasma and serum — and is also known as the Hughes Syndrome Panel or Antiphospholipid Antibody Test.

What Does an APLA Test Measure?

The APLA test looks for five specific antibodies that affect how blood clots and how the immune system behaves. Here are the parameters included in this panel:

Parameter	What it Detects
Lupus Anticoagulant (dRVVT)	Phospholipid-dependent clotting inhibitors linked to the highest risk of blood clots
Cardiolipin Antibody IgG	Immune proteins targeting cardiolipin, a fat found in cell membranes associated with clotting and pregnancy complications
Cardiolipin Antibody IgM	Same target as IgG but a different antibody class; helps assess acute or early immune response
Beta 2 Glycoprotein I IgG	Highly specific markers that confirm the presence of disease-causing antiphospholipid antibodies
Beta 2 Glycoprotein I IgM	Complements the IgG result to provide a full picture of anti-β2GPI antibody activity

Why is an APLA Test Done?

Doctors order an APLA test when a patient shows signs of unexplained blood clotting or pregnancy complications. It is also used to evaluate certain autoimmune conditions.

Common Symptoms That May Require This Test

Several signs may prompt a doctor to request this test. These include:

Unexplained blood clots in veins or arteries
Recurrent miscarriages or pregnancy loss
Stroke or heart attack in a young person with no obvious risk factors
A mottled, lace-like reddish-blue skin pattern (livedo reticularis)
Low platelet count, known as thrombocytopenia
Prolonged clotting time on routine blood tests

Conditions This Test Can Help Detect

The APLA test can help identify several conditions, including:

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), an autoimmune disorder causing recurrent blood clots
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a broader autoimmune disease often associated with APS
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), where blood clots form in deep veins
Pulmonary embolism, a blood clot that travels to the lungs
Unexplained arterial or venous thrombosis

APLA Test During Pregnancy

The APLA test is routinely ordered for women who have experienced recurrent pregnancy losses.

About 10 to 15% of women with recurrent miscarriages are found to have antiphospholipid syndrome, a treatable condition.

Pregnancy complications linked to this syndrome include pre-eclampsia, placental insufficiency, intrauterine growth restriction, and foetal loss, particularly after 10 weeks of gestation.

Lupus anticoagulant has also been specifically associated with recurrent miscarriage before the 24th week of pregnancy.

APLA Test for Chronic Disease Monitoring

For patients already diagnosed with antiphospholipid syndrome, the APLA test is repeated at regular intervals to track how well treatment is working.

International diagnostic criteria require a second positive result at least 12 weeks after the first, to rule out transient antibodies caused by temporary infections or medications. Monitoring antibody levels over time helps doctors adjust care and assess long-term risk.

How to Prepare and What to Expect

Preparing for the APLA test procedure is straightforward, but a few steps help ensure accurate results.

Do You Need to Fast?

No, fasting is not required for this test. You can eat and drink normally before your appointment. However, if your doctor has ordered additional tests alongside this panel, some of those may require fasting, so confirm with your doctor beforehand.

Practical Tips Before Your Test

The following steps will help the test go smoothly:

Bring a detailed clinical history, including your symptoms, previous test results, and relevant medical records, as this is required for the test
Inform your doctor if you are taking heparin or oral anticoagulants (blood thinners), as these may need to be paused before the test — do not stop any medication without your doctor's approval
Tell your doctor about all other medicines, supplements, or ayurvedic preparations you are taking
Wear a loose-fitting top or a garment with sleeves that can be rolled up easily for the blood draw
Stay well hydrated, as this makes veins easier to locate

Step-by-Step Procedure

The APLA test requires two blood samples collected at the same time. Here is what to expect:

A trained phlebotomist will ask you to be seated comfortably and will review your details.
An elastic band (tourniquet) is tied around your upper arm to make the veins more visible.
The skin at the collection site is cleaned with a disinfectant to reduce any risk of infection.
A needle is gently inserted into a vein, usually in the crook of your arm, to draw blood.
Blood is collected into two separate tubes — a sky-blue sodium citrate tube for plasma and a yellow SST gel tube for serum — as both are needed for the full panel.
The needle is removed, and a cotton ball or bandage is applied to the site. The samples are labelled and sent to the laboratory for analysis.

Factors That Can Affect Accuracy

Certain factors may influence your test results. These include:

Anticoagulant medications such as heparin or warfarin, which can interfere with lupus anticoagulant testing
Recent infections (including HIV, hepatitis C, and Epstein-Barr virus), which may cause temporarily positive results
Platelet contamination in the sample, which is why proper centrifugation technique is critical
Delay in processing — the sample should be analysed within 4 hours of collection
A past or current syphilis infection, which may lead to a false positive result

Understanding Your APLA Test Results

Your results should always be reviewed by a doctor who can assess them alongside your full medical history. Below is a general outline of an APLA Test result.

Below 12 U/mL (Negative): Indicates that antiphospholipid antibodies were not detected. This is generally considered normal.

12 – 18 U/mL (Low to Moderate): Represents a borderline or weakly positive result. This can sometimes happen due to recent viral infections or certain medications.

Above 18 U/mL (Positive): Indicates a higher likelihood of abnormal clotting (such as Deep Vein Thrombosis or stroke) or autoimmune disorders like APS.

Also, the table below shows detailed reference ranges for this panel.

Parameter	Normal Range	Unit
Anticardiolipin IgG	Less than 12 (Negative); 12 to 18 (Low to Moderate); greater than 40 (Positive)	GPL U/mL
Anticardiolipin IgM	Less than 12 (Negative); 12 to 18 (Low to Moderate); greater than 40 (Positive)	MPL U/mL
Anti-β2 Glycoprotein I IgG	Above the 99th percentile of the reference population (Positive)	U/mL
Anti-β2 Glycoprotein I IgM	Above the 99th percentile of the reference population (Positive)	U/mL
Lupus Anticoagulant	Negative or Positive (ratio-based interpretation)	Ratio

These ranges are general guidelines. Your doctor will interpret your results based on your age, health history, and other factors. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised medical advice.

Results During Special Conditions

Some medical situations can affect how your results are interpreted:

Temporary infections such as those caused by viruses (including CMV or Epstein-Barr) or bacterial illnesses may produce transient positive antibody results that resolve without treatment.

Certain medicines, including penicillin, can occasionally trigger a short-lived positive result that is not clinically significant.

Patients with cancer may also test positive for antiphospholipid antibodies, which requires careful clinical evaluation.

Because transient results are possible, a confirmed diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome requires two positive tests at least 12 weeks apart.

How to Maintain Healthy Levels

If your doctor recommends lifestyle changes alongside any medical care, here are some general wellness tips:

Stay well hydrated and include a balanced diet rich in vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins to support overall cardiovascular health.
Avoid smoking, as it is known to harm blood vessels and may worsen clotting risk.
Attend all follow-up appointments so your doctor can track any changes in your antibody levels over time.

Lupin Diagnostics APLA Test Price and Home Collection

The APLA test cost at Lupin Diagnostics starts at ₹3,900, and home sample collection is available across multiple cities. The table below shows city-wise indicative pricing:

City	Approximate Price (₹)
Bengaluru	3900
Chennai	3900
Mumbai	3900
Pune	3900

Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.

How to Book

The APLA test online booking at Lupin Diagnostics is simple:

Select the APLA Test on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
Choose your city and preferred time slot.
Opt for home sample collection by a certified phlebotomist, or visit your nearest Lupin Diagnostics centre.
Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within the stipulated turnaround time.

Home Collection

Lupin Diagnostics offers APLA test home collection across cities, making it convenient to have your blood samples collected without visiting a centre. All samples are processed in NABL-accredited laboratories by trained professionals. Your digital report is delivered securely via email or WhatsApp once ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

APLA stands for Antiphospholipid Antibodies. The APLA test is used to detect these specific antibodies in the blood and assess their potential impact on clotting and immune function.

Women who have had recurrent miscarriages may be tested for antiphospholipid antibodies, as this is a treatable cause of pregnancy loss. Early detection through the APLA test allows doctors to manage the condition and improve pregnancy outcomes.

No fasting is needed before the APLA test procedure. You can eat and drink as usual before your appointment. Check with your doctor if any additional tests have been ordered alongside it.

A positive result shows that antiphospholipid antibodies are present in your blood, but this alone does not confirm a diagnosis. Antiphospholipid syndrome can only be diagnosed after two positive results taken at least 12 weeks apart, along with a clinical assessment by your doctor.

The test involves a routine blood draw, which most people find mildly uncomfortable rather than painful. You may feel a brief pinch when the needle is inserted, and there may be slight bruising at the site afterwards, which resolves quickly.

At Lupin Diagnostics, results for the APLA test are typically delivered the same day. In some cases, particularly for the lupus anticoagulant component, processing may take additional time depending on the complexity of the analysis.

Yes, medications such as heparin and oral anticoagulants can interfere with the accuracy of certain components of the APLA test, particularly lupus anticoagulant testing. Always inform your doctor about everything you are taking so they can advise whether any medication needs to be paused before the test.