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Phospholipid Syndrome Panel (APLA) Test: Booking, Price, and Results
About Phospholipid Syndrome Panel (APLA) Test: Booking, Price, and Results
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | Antiphospholipid Antibody Panel, APS Panel, APLA Profile, Hughes Syndrome Panel, Phospholipid Antibody Panel |
| Sample Type | Venous blood (serum and citrate plasma tubes) |
| Fasting Required | No fasting required |
| Report Time | Same day |
| Recommended For | Men and women of all ages, particularly women of childbearing age |
| Price | Starting at ₹3,900 |
What is a Phospholipid Syndrome Panel (APLA) Test?
The APLA test is a blood panel that checks for a group of antibodies linked to antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), an autoimmune condition that raises the risk of blood clots and pregnancy complications.
Doctors order this panel when a patient has unexplained clotting events, recurrent miscarriages, or a suspected autoimmune condition such as lupus.
It is also known as the Antiphospholipid Antibody Panel or Hughes Syndrome Panel. Two blood tubes are used — one serum tube and one citrate plasma tube — to test different components of the panel.
What Does a Phospholipid Syndrome Panel (APLA) Test Measure?
This test looks for three types of antibodies that affect how your blood clots. Together, they give doctors a complete picture to help find out if you have APS.
| Parameter | What it Detects |
|---|---|
| Lupus Anticoagulant (dRVVT) | A functional clotting test that identifies antibodies which, despite appearing to slow clotting in the lab, actually increase clotting risk in the body |
| Anticardiolipin IgG | Antibodies that recognise a phospholipid-protein complex; elevated levels are associated with clotting and pregnancy loss |
| Anticardiolipin IgM | The IgM version of cardiolipin antibodies, often elevated in acute or early-stage immune responses |
| Anti-Beta2-Glycoprotein I IgG | Antibodies that directly target a blood protein involved in clotting regulation; considered more specific than cardiolipin antibodies alone |
| Anti-Beta2-Glycoprotein I IgM | The IgM version of anti-B2GPI antibodies, used alongside IgG for a fuller antibody assessment |
Why is a Phospholipid Syndrome Panel (APLA) Test Done?
This panel is ordered when a doctor suspects antiphospholipid syndrome based on a patient's clinical history or symptoms. The test looks for immune-related causes behind clotting disorders and pregnancy complications.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
The following symptoms are among the most common reasons doctors request an APLA test:
- Unexplained blood clots in veins or arteries
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) — swelling, pain, or skin discolouration in the legs
- Recurrent miscarriages, especially in the second or third trimester
- Stroke or mini-stroke in a young person with no obvious cardiovascular risk factors
- Unexplained heart attack
- Low platelet count with bleeding from the nose or gums
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
The panel can help identify or rule out several conditions:
- Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) — the most common acquired cause of increased clotting tendency
- Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism (blood clots that travel to the lungs)
- Secondary APS associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), seen in 20 to 35% of lupus patients
- Kidney problems caused by reduced blood flow due to clotting
- Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS) — a rare but serious complication causing clots in multiple organs simultaneously
Phospholipid Syndrome Panel (APLA) Test During Pregnancy
The APLA test is routinely ordered for women with unexplained pregnancy losses.
Around 10 to 15% of women with recurrent miscarriages are found to have antiphospholipid syndrome.
Obstetric complications linked to APS include recurrent miscarriage, pre-eclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, and early delivery.
Early identification through this test can lead to better management outcomes during pregnancy.
How to Prepare and What to Expect
No special preparation is needed for this test, but a few practical steps will help ensure an accurate sample is collected.
Do You Need to Fast?
No, fasting is not required for the APLA test procedure. You can eat and drink normally before your appointment. If this test is ordered alongside other tests that require fasting, follow your doctor's instructions for those tests.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
Keep these points in mind before your sample collection:
- Bring a detailed clinical history, including your symptoms, previous test results, and family history, as this is required for the test
- Inform your doctor if you are taking anticoagulant medications such as warfarin, heparin, or direct oral anticoagulants, as these can affect results, particularly the lupus anticoagulant component
- Avoid getting tested during an active infection, as infections can temporarily raise antibody levels and affect accuracy
- Mention all supplements and herbal remedies to your doctor, not just prescription medicines
- Stay well hydrated before your appointment
Step-by-Step Procedure
Here is what happens during the APLA test procedure, from arrival to sample dispatch:
- A trained phlebotomist (blood collection specialist) will clean a vein in your arm and collect blood using a standard needle.
- Two tubes are filled: a yellow-top SST gel tube for serum (used for the antibody tests) and a sky-blue sodium citrate tube (used for the lupus anticoagulant test).
- The citrate tube is gently inverted several times immediately after collection to mix the blood with the anticoagulant properly.
- The samples are centrifuged (spun at high speed) in the lab to prepare the required serum and double-spun platelet-poor plasma.
- The serum samples are analysed using EIA (enzyme immunoassay, a method that detects specific antibodies), while the plasma sample undergoes functional clotting tests.
- Labelled samples are dispatched to the Lupin Diagnostics laboratory for processing and reporting.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
Several factors may influence your test results:
- Anticoagulant medications, especially direct oral anticoagulants and vitamin K antagonists
- Active infections, which can transiently raise antibody levels
- A high red blood cell concentration (haematocrit), which can alter the blood-to-anticoagulant ratio in the tube
- Excess platelets remaining in the plasma sample after centrifugation
- Incorrect filling of the citrate tube, which changes the anticoagulant-to-blood ratio
Understanding Your Phospholipid Syndrome Panel (APLA) Test Results
Results from this panel should always be reviewed with a doctor who has access to your full clinical history. Below are general reference ranges used to interpret each parameter.
| Parameter | Normal Range | Clinically Significant Level |
|---|---|---|
| Lupus Anticoagulant | Negative (not detected) | Positive (detected) |
| Anticardiolipin IgG | Less than 15 GPL units | Greater than 40 GPL units |
| Anticardiolipin IgM | Less than 12 MPL units | Greater than 40 MPL units |
| Anti-Beta2-Glycoprotein I IgG | Below the laboratory-specific 99th percentile | Above 99th percentile |
| Anti-Beta2-Glycoprotein I IgM | Below the laboratory-specific 99th percentile | Above 99th percentile |
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
Certain conditions can affect how results are interpreted:
Anticoagulant medications (particularly direct oral anticoagulants and vitamin K antagonists) can interfere with lupus anticoagulant testing, producing false-positive or false-negative findings.
Active infections can cause a temporary rise in antiphospholipid antibody levels; results obtained during illness may not reflect your true baseline.
Low-level anticardiolipin positivity is seen in up to 10% of healthy individuals and does not, on its own, indicate APS.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
These general wellness habits support healthy circulation and overall cardiovascular health:
- Stay active with regular moderate exercise and avoid prolonged periods of sitting or immobility, particularly during long journeys
- Stay well hydrated throughout the day, as dehydration can increase blood viscosity
- Avoid smoking, which independently raises the risk of blood clots
Lupin Diagnostics Phospholipid Syndrome Panel (APLA) Test Price and Home Collection
The APLA test cost at Lupin Diagnostics starts at ₹3,900, and home sample collection is available across major Indian cities.
| 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
For APLA test online booking:
- Select the Phospholipid Syndrome Panel (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
APLA test home collection is available across cities through Lupin Diagnostics' trained phlebotomists, who collect both the serum and citrate plasma samples at your doorstep. All samples are processed in NABL-accredited laboratories to ensure quality results. Your digital report is delivered directly to you via email or WhatsApp once ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
The APLA test is used to investigate unexplained blood clots, recurrent miscarriages, and suspected autoimmune conditions. It forms part of the diagnostic workup for antiphospholipid syndrome, a condition where the immune system mistakenly produces antibodies that increase clotting risk. Doctors may also order it when a patient has been diagnosed with lupus (SLE).
A single positive result is not sufficient to confirm antiphospholipid syndrome. Antibodies can rise temporarily during infections or other illnesses. A repeat test at least 12 weeks after the first positive result confirms that the antibodies are persistent and clinically significant, which is a required criterion for diagnosis.
Anticoagulant medications can interfere with the lupus anticoagulant component of the panel. Ideally, this test should be done before anticoagulant therapy begins or after an adequate gap following its discontinuation. The antibody tests (anticardiolipin and anti-B2GPI) are generally less affected by these medications. Always discuss your current medicines with your doctor before booking.
A single positive result does not confirm APS. Your doctor will recommend a repeat test after 12 weeks to check whether the antibodies are still present. A diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome is made only when antibodies are detected on at least two occasions and are associated with clinical symptoms such as blood clots or pregnancy loss.
Yes. Women with three or more consecutive miscarriages, or an unexplained pregnancy loss in the second or third trimester, are typically advised to get this test. Identifying APS early in pregnancy allows for appropriate management, which significantly improves the chances of a successful outcome.
Blood is drawn from a vein in your arm in a standard procedure that takes only a few minutes. Two tubes are collected — one for the antibody tests and one for the lupus anticoagulant test. The process is straightforward and the same whether you visit a centre or opt for APLA test home collection.
Results for the Phospholipid Syndrome Panel are typically available the same day. Report delivery timelines may vary slightly depending on your location and the time of sample collection. You will receive your report digitally once it is ready.
