Living with Antiphospholipid syndrome
An autoimmune condition that raises the chance of blood clots and can cause pregnancy complications.
Understanding Antiphospholipid syndrome
Clots (thromboses) can form in nearly any blood vessel and can block blood flow, including to the brain. Women with the syndrome are at higher risk of pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, early delivery, or pregnancy loss. A clot or pregnancy complication is often the first sign. It usually appears in early to mid-adulthood but can begin at any age.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Blood clots in arteries or veins
- Stroke or mini stroke (transient ischemic attack)
- Pregnancy complications, such as early birth
- Lace-like purplish skin pattern (livedo reticularis)
- Fatigue
- High blood pressure
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include autoimmune and inflammatory disease specialists, blood and bone marrow specialists, maternal-fetal medicine specialists and women’s reproductive health specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
APS Foundation of America, Inc., Autoimmune Association and Global Autoimmune Institute may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- autoimmune and inflammatory disease specialists (rheumatologists); Blood and bone marrow specialists (hematologists); Maternal-fetal medicine specialists (pregnancy-related); Women’s reproductive health specialists (obstetricians / gynecologists)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: APS Foundation of America, Inc., Autoimmune Association, Global Autoimmune Institute
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with APS Foundation of America, Inc. and other patient organizations
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD says this is an autoimmune disorder, in which the immune system attacks the body's own tissues and organs. GARD doesn't describe a gene in this record.
Also known as: anticardiolipin syndrome; antiphospholipid antibody syndrome; apl - antiphospholipid syndrome; apls; aps - antiphospholipid syndrome; classic antiphospholipid syndrome
Patient organizations
- APS Foundation of America, Inc.Antiphospholipid syndrome · United States
- Autoimmune AssociationAntiphospholipid syndrome · United States
- Global Autoimmune InstituteAntiphospholipid syndrome · United States
- Lupus Foundation of AmericaAntiphospholipid syndrome · United States
- National Blood Clot AllianceAntiphospholipid syndrome · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Antiphospholipid syndrome.
Explore research for Antiphospholipid syndrome
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- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
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- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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