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Conditions and Diseases > Lupus Forum > Testing during pregnancy for lupus
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Q: Testing during pregnancy for lupus
asked by: DoctorQuestion on August 31st, 2009
is it possible to be tested for lupus (coagulants) whilst pregnant?


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Dr. Goce Aleksovski , MD
replied on September 14th, 2009
Lupus Answer A7229


No single test can determine whether a person has lupus, but several laboratory tests may help the doctor to make a diagnosis. For example, the most common used is ANA (antinuclear antibody). Anti-DNA, anti-Sm, anti-RNP, anti-Ro (SSA), and anti-La (SSB) are frequently used, too.


A doctor may order a test for anticardiolipin (or antiphospholipid) antibodies. The presence of this antibody may indicate increased risk for blood clotting and increased risk for miscarriages in pregnant women with lupus. The test itself cannot affect pregnancy, because the antibodies are detected in a small sample of blood. No data was found about not recommending lupus tests in pregnancy.


You might want to visit a gynecologist and/or rheumatologist for additional information about whether it is possible and safe to test for anticardiolipin antibodies in pregnancy.




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