PROTEIN C ACTIVITY IS A BLOOD TEST THAT MEASURES THE FUNCTIONALITY OF PROTEIN C, A NATURAL ANTICOAGULANT IN THE BODY THAT HELPS PREVENT EXCESSIVE BLOOD CLOTTING. LOW PROTEIN C ACTIVITY INCREASES THE RISK OF DEVELOPING BLOOD CLOTS, SUCH AS DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS (DVT) AND PULMONARY EMBOLISM. THIS TEST IS OFTEN ORDERED WHEN THERE IS A SUSPICION OF AN INCREASED CLOTTING RISK DUE TO FAMILY HISTORY, PREVIOUS BLOOD CLOTS, OR OTHER RISK FACTORS.

Factor VIII activity is a blood test that measures the level of a protein called factor VIII, which plays a crucial role in blood clotting. This test is often used to diagnose hemophilia A, a bleeding disorder caused by a deficiency in factor VIII. It can also be used to monitor the effectiveness of treatment for hemophilia A or to evaluate other bleeding disorders. Normal factor VIII activity levels range from 50% to 150%. Levels below 50% may indicate hemophilia A, while levels above 150% may suggest other underlying conditions.

Beta-2 glycoprotein IgG is a blood test that measures the presence and levels of antibodies against beta-2 glycoprotein I (Beta2GPI), a protein found in the blood.nn These antibodies, known as anti-Beta2GPI antibodies, are associated with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), an autoimmune disorder that causes blood clots and pregnancy complications. The test is used to diagnose APS and monitor its progression.

THIS TEST MEASURES THE LEVEL OF IGM ANTIBODIES IN YOUR BLOOD THAT TARGET PHOSPHOLIPIDS, A TYPE OF FAT MOLECULE. THESE ANTIBODIES CAN INTERFERE WITH BLOOD CLOTTING, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO COMPLICATIONS LIKE BLOOD CLOTS, MISCARRIAGES, OR STROKES. HIGH LEVELS OF IGM PHOSPHOLIPID ANTIBODIES MAY INDICATE AN AUTOIMMUNE DISORDER CALLED ANTIPHOSPHOLIPID SYNDROME (APS).

CARDIOLIPIN ANTIBODIES ARE USEFUL IN IDENTIFYING PATIENTS WITH AN INCREASED RISK OF THROMBOSIS, RECURRENT SPONTANEOUS ABORTIONS AND PHOSPHOLIPID ANTIBODY SYNDROME. CARDIOLIPIN ANTIBODY IGG IS THE MOST SENSITIVE BUT THE LEAST SPECIFIC ANTIBODY.

CARDIOLIPIN ANTIBODIES ARE USEFUL IN IDENTIFYING PATIENTS WITH AN INCREASED RISK OF THROMBOSIS, RECURRENT SPONTANEOUS ABORTIONS AND PHOSPHOLIPID ANTIBODY SYNDROME. CARDIOLIPIN ANTIBODY IGM IS LESS SENSITIVE BUT MORE SPECIFIC THAN CARDIOLIPIN ANTIBODY IGG.

FACTOR V IS A PROTEIN (A CLOTTING FACTOR) IN THE BLOOD THAT IS ESSENTIAL FOR PROPER BLOOD COAGULATION. THE FACTOR V ACTIVITY ASSAY MEASURES THE AMOUNT OF FUNCTIONAL FACTOR V IN THE BLOOD.

THE FREE PROTEIN S TEST MEASURES THE AMOUNT OF ACTIVE PROTEIN S IN THE BLOOD. PROTEIN S IS A NATURAL ANTICOAGULANT, A SUBSTANCE THAT HELPS PREVENT EXCESSIVE BLOOD CLOTTING. IT WORKS BY ASSISTING ANOTHER PROTEIN, ACTIVATED PROTEIN C, TO INACTIVATE TWO KEY CLOTTING FACTORS: FACTOR VA AND FACTOR VIIIA. WHEN THERE ISNOT ENOUGH FUNCTIONAL PROTEIN S, THE BLOOD HAS AN INCREASED TENDENCY TO CLOT.

TESTING FOR PHOSPHOLIPID ANTIBODIES IS INDICATED IN CASES OF UNEXPLAINED ARTERIAL / VENOUS THROMBOSIS, PREGNANCY WITH UNEXPLAINED FETAL DEATHS, SPONTANEOUS ABORTIONS, PRESENCE OF UNEXPLAINED CUTANEOUS CIRCULATORY DISTURBANCE LIKE LIVIDO RETICULARIS AND PRESENCE OF SYSTEMIC RHEUMATIC DISEASE LIKE LE. THIS TEST IS ALSO USED IN CASES OF UNEXPLAINED THROMBOCYTOPENIA, HEMOLYTIC ANEMIA & NON-BACTERIAL THROMBOTIC ENDOCARDITIS.

The Lupus Anticoagulant by dRVVT (dilute Russell's viper venom time) test is a coagulation assay used to detect the presence of lupus anticoagulants (LA), which are a type of antiphospholipid antibodies. Despite their name, these antibodies are not typically associated with bleeding disorders or systemic lupus erythematosus and are in fact linked to an increased risk of blood clots (thrombosis). The dRVVT test works by using a diluted venom that directly activates Factor X of the coagulation cascade. A prolonged clotting time in the initial screening phase suggests the presence of an inhibitor. This is followed by a confirmatory test using an excess of phospholipids. If the prolonged clotting time corrects (shortens) in the confirmatory step, it indicates that the inhibitor is phospholipid-dependent, which is a characteristic of lupus anticoagulants.

THIS TEST MEASURES THE LEVEL OF HOMOCYSTEINE, AN AMINO ACID, IN THE BLOOD. ELEVATED HOMOCYSTEINE LEVELS HAVE BEEN LINKED TO A HIGHER RISK OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE AND CERTAIN NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS. ITS ALSO USED TO DIAGNOSE A RARE GENETIC DISORDER CALLED HOMOCYSTINURIA.

THIS TEST MEASURES THE FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY OF ANTITHROMBIN, A PROTEIN THAT HELPS PREVENT BLOOD CLOTS. LOW ANTITHROMBIN ACTIVITY CAN INDICATE AN INCREASED RISK FOR THROMBOSIS (BLOOD CLOTS), SUCH AS DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS (DVT) OR PULMONARY EMBOLISM (PE). IT CAN BE CAUSED BY A GENETIC DEFICIENCY, LIVER DISEASE, OR OTHER CONDITIONS.