Sunday, June 24, 2012
Bonnie
People with a diagnosis such as Lupus, Sjogren's Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, and Thyroid Disease may also have a condition called Hughes Syndrome. Hughes Syndrome is also known as "sticky blood". It is basically when the blood has an antiphospholipid antibody. This can be detected through a simple blood test.
In my research on Lupus I kept coming across information that said Lupus patients are sometimes at risk for blood clots and need to take low dose aspirin. From what I understand, this is why. I have also read that they are at a greater risk for blood clots and miscarriage. Again, I imagine Hughes Syndrome- the antiphospholipid antibody- is the reason.
The different names for the same thing: Anti Phosholipid Antibody Syndrome (APS) or Hughes Syndrome or even Lupus Anticoagulant.
How common is this for Lupus patients?
According to the Hughes Syndrome Foundation, 1 in 5 Lupus patients will also have Hughes Syndrome- the antiphospholipid antibody.
So how does this apply to me?
If I have a Lupus (SLE) diagnosis, then I need to add the antiphospholipid antibody (APA) blood test to my list. If I am positive for it, then I will know what I am at risk for and how to manage "another symptom" better. I also now understand the WHY behind the causes of blood clots and miscarriages.
Questions that I ended up having after I found out this information.
(I told you that I always end up getting off track and end up looking into something else.)
Is Fibromyalgia an auto immune disease?
How much does an antiphospholipid antibody (APA) blood test cost?
I will have to wait to answer these for now.
Until next time...
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