What are Antiphospholipid Antibodies?
Phospholipids are found in the blood and help keep the blood flowing without too much clotting or bleeding. Antibodies against phospholipid (antiphospholipid antibodies) mess up the normal balance between clotting and bleeding. The antibodies can increase a persons chance of having a blood clot. Back to top.
There are several kinds of antiphospholipid antibodies. The most widely measured are the lupus anticoagulant and anticardiolipin antibody. These antibodies react with phospholipid, a type of fat molecule that is part of the normal cell membrane. Lupus anticoagulant and anticardiolipin antibody are closely related, but are not the same antibody. This means that someone can have one and not the other. There are other antiphospholipid antibodies, but they are not commonly measured.