Lupus anticoagulant test
Quick answer: A lupus anticoagulant test checks for antibodies that make blood clot more easily in the body, even though they can prolong clotting time in the lab. It is ordered after unexplained blood clots or repeated pregnancy loss, as part of testing for antiphospholipid syndrome.
- SampleBlood
- TakesAbout 5 to 10 minutes
- Before the testTell staff if you take blood thinners, as they can affect the result; do not stop them on your own.
- In fertility careIt is one of the tests for antiphospholipid syndrome, which doctors check after recurrent miscarriage or some pregnancy complications.
How the test is done
- 1Staff ask whether you take any blood thinners
- 2A vein is chosen and the skin is cleaned
- 3Blood is drawn into a special blue-top tube that must be filled to the line
- 4The sample is processed quickly to keep the result reliable
What your results can mean
Reading your report
A positive result usually needs to be repeated after about 12 weeks before a diagnosis is made; discuss it with your doctor.
If the result is outside the usual range
A positive result can point to antiphospholipid syndrome, which is linked with blood clots and pregnancy loss, but it can also appear briefly with infections or some medicines. A negative result makes this less likely but other antiphospholipid tests are also used.
Who usually has this test
People with unexplained blood clots, women with repeated miscarriage or some pregnancy complications, and people with lupus.
Risks and aftercare
Press firmly on the needle site, especially if you take blood thinners, as bruising is more likely.
Names and options
Also called: LA test, dRVVT, lupus anticoagulant plasma
Listed by the hospital as
- LUPUS ANTICOAGULANT, PLASMA
Questions about this test
Does lupus anticoagulant mean I have lupus?
No. Despite its name, many people with lupus anticoagulant do not have lupus. The name comes from where it was first found. It is a type of antiphospholipid antibody.
Why is lupus anticoagulant checked after recurrent miscarriage?
Antiphospholipid syndrome is one known treatable cause of repeated pregnancy loss. If confirmed, doctors may suggest treatment during pregnancy to lower the risk, so it is part of the usual tests after recurrent miscarriage.
Why must the lupus anticoagulant test be repeated?
Antibodies can appear for a short time after infections or with some medicines. To confirm antiphospholipid syndrome, a positive test usually needs to be positive again at least 12 weeks later.
Related tests
Tamara Hospital & IVF Centre, Rajajinagar
34/3, 10th Cross Road, opp. Vardhaka Sardar Patel School, 1st N Block, 2nd Stage, Rajajinagar, Bengaluru 560010
The hospital is open 24 hours. Call before you come to check the timing for your scan or sample collection.
Get directions ↗IVF Pulse fertility care at Tamara Hospital →
Reception
Waiting area
IVF lab
This page explains each test in general terms so you know what to expect. It is not medical advice: your doctor decides which tests you need and what your results mean. Reference ranges differ between laboratories. Updated 4 November 2026.