Any experience with "equivocal" test results?

rabstbmom

The doc's office called me this a.m. My chromosomal analysis came back normal, but on my antiphospholipid test the results came back "equivocal" so I have to redo the test in 6 to 8 weeks, so mid-May. I just googled for info about the test and APS and, while I'm relieved to know there's a way it can be treated during pregnancy, I'm also a little worried about what it might mean for me health-wise long-term if it turns out positive.

Bottom line, for the moment, though, it looks like we're out of the game until May or June. DH and I are in agreement we don't want to try until we get all the test results back and have as clear a picture as possible about what's going on.

izzourclue

No experience to answer your questions, but sending you {{hugs}}.  Sorry you are out of the game for a while and I hope that the test results don't have too big of an impact on your health or TTC when you are able to start up again.

Haribo1

The antiphospholipid test looks at antibodies.  In general, we don't like to say that a patient is antiphospholipid (+) until it after the test is repeated a few weeks down the road.  Since they are antibodies, they can be elevated for several reasons, especially past/present infections.  I'm not sure about adults, but in kids, we may give a baby aspirin and nothing more if you've never had a clot. Having the antibodies can increase risk for clots and bleeding, but as you know, to have antiphospholipid syndrome, there need to be other clinical factors involved (clot, loss of pregnancy, etc).  Not trying to be scary.  From my experience, MOST of the time, equivocal tests are negative when repeated which is great.    

rabstbmom

Thanks, that eases my mind. I just know I've read that slow growth can be the result of autoimmune issues, and we did have that issue with the first loss. At the first u/s when I was 8 weeks, measurements were more like 6 weeks and the heartbeat, though present, was much slower than it should have been. Since that was the first loss, we didn't do any testing, but to have that in the back of my mind, along with these "equivocal" test results now, it just concerns me. I have a feeling April is going to be a very long month! But at least we're slowly getting some answers.

hollymichael

I had slightly elevated APAs, but I have no history of repeat loss.  I see a hematologist for another condition I have and asked her about the APAs. She ran the test again with similar results.  She told me pretty much the same thing that Haribo said. My RE wants to put me on lovenox after transfer (but I'm not sure if this is due to the APAs or another condition they found), but the hematologist said it isn't necessary.

Haribo, where do you work that you know all of this? Just curious.

Haribo1

Hollymichael: I am a pediatric subspecialist and take care of some kids with this

hollymichael

Haribo1:

Hollymichael: I am a pediatric subspecialist and take care of some kids with this

Interesting! I figured you must work in the medical field.