Lupus antibodies can cause problems with blood vessels and the circulatory system, but having them doesn’t necessarily mean a person has lupus. They can be found in healthy people and are associated with other anti-immune disorders. Lifestyle changes and medications can help manage the risk of developing a bleeding disorder.
Lupus antibodies are antibodies that interfere with the clotting process, potentially causing problems with blood vessels and the circulatory system. The term used to refer to these antibodies is somewhat misleading, as having lupus antibodies does not necessarily mean that a person has lupus. They are associated with other anti-immune disorders and in some cases can also be found in healthy people. Another term used is “antiphospholipid antibodies,” a more accurate description of these compounds that refers to how they behave in the body.
These antibodies interact with the blood, leading to the development of abnormal clotting. Paradoxically, outside the body, they can act as blood thinners and, as a result, are sometimes known as lupus blood thinners. People with high lupus antibody counts may develop blood disorders including thrombosis, hardened or narrowed blood vessels, and other problems. These disturbances are caused by reactions between the patient’s blood and the antibody.
Why lupus antibodies develop is not well understood. Their formation results in an immune system malfunction in which the immune system mislabels normal substances in the body as harmful, telling immune cells to attack these substances. The concentration of lupus antibodies in the body can vary over time in a patient and may not always be a reflection of the severity of a patient’s disease if a patient has an autoimmune disease. Most commonly, antibodies are identified during a routine blood test or in a case where a patient is specifically screened for clotting disorders.
There are several options for managing cases where patients have lupus antibodies. It is not possible to eliminate the antibodies, but patients can voluntarily address risk factors such as smoking and their diet to reduce the risk of developing a bleeding disorder. For patients who are otherwise healthy, these minor lifestyle adjustments may be the recommended treatment, and the patient will be monitored for any signs of complications.
In addition to lifestyle changes, other adjustments may also need to be made in patients with clotting problems. Medications can be used to break up blood clots and prevent the patient’s blood from clotting in the future. Anticoagulant medications carry risks, including concerns such as internal bleeding, but the risks can be considered acceptable when compared to what will happen to the patient without treatment. Dosages may be adjusted periodically as the patient responds to the drug.
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