Investigation Name:Lupus Anticoagulant Screen (LUPUS)

Alias or Abbreviation:Antiphosholipd antibodies, Lupus Inhibitor screen

Pathology Laboratory:Haematology Ext 88245

Requestable Seperately?No

Part of Profile:THROM

Tests in Profile:CS, PS,PC,ATIII,,LUP, MGT

E-Requesting Tab:HAEM-Blds

Minimum Sample Volume:Fill to level

Expected Turnaround Time:<14 days (batch test)

Test Code:LUP

Sample Type:

Maximum Add on Time:4 hours

Complex Reference Range:If Lupus screen/confirm ratio is <1.2 then no Lupus anticoagulant (LA) has been detected. If ratio is 1.2-1.5 then a LA is weakly present. If ratio is 1.5-2.0 then a LA is moderately present and if the ratio is >2.0 then a LA is strongly present. Ratio results will not be reported to prevent confusion however the 'text' result eg moderately present will be reported. Lupus inhitiors can be transient so if the result is positive it should be repeated in 12 weeks time to confirm its presence.

Collection Conditions / Other Information:For Lupus screen x3 citrated (BLUE) samples required. To include Anti Cardiolipin antibodies requires x1 serum gel tube (gold) . Full citrate samples double spun by laboratory with plasma frozen within 4 hours. Lupus screens should not be sent if the patient is on any anticoagulants and should not be taken during an acute thrombotic episode. For advice contact a consultant haematologist. Paediatric sample tubes are available from the laboratory for children and difficult to bleed patients. These tubes require 1ml of blood to be taken (3 paediatric samples required). Underfilled or overfilled samples will not be processed as the ratio of anticoagulant to blood in the tube will be incorrect. Clotted and grossly haemolysed samples cannot be processed. Haemolysis, Icterus and lipaemia may interfere with testing and so manual methods may be required to gain results.

Referred to Another Laboratory?No