Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS)
Antiphospholipid syndrome, or APS, is important because some patients only discover it after a blood clot, a stroke at a young age, or repeated pregnancy loss. If you have had one of these events, or you already have positive antiphospholipid antibodies, I would like to review the whole picture with you.
What antiphospholipid syndrome (aps) is
Antiphospholipid syndrome is an autoimmune clotting condition. The immune system produces antiphospholipid antibodies that can make blood more likely to clot in veins, arteries or the placenta. APS can occur on its own or alongside lupus and other autoimmune diseases. Diagnosis usually requires both a clinical event, such as a clot or a pregnancy complication, and persistently positive antibody tests taken at least twelve weeks apart.
Symptoms to look out for
A one-sided painful swollen leg (possible deep vein thrombosis)
Sudden chest pain, breathlessness or coughing up blood (possible pulmonary embolism)
Stroke-like symptoms: face drooping, one-sided weakness, slurred speech or sudden vision change
Repeated miscarriages or other pregnancy complications
Low platelets, a lacy purple skin pattern (livedo reticularis) or migraines
Positive antiphospholipid antibodies found on previous testing
Why this matters to a rheumatologist
Rheumatology is often involved when APS occurs with lupus, other positive autoimmune blood tests, joint symptoms, or when a patient with autoimmune disease is planning pregnancy. My role is to interpret antibody results carefully, coordinate with haematology, obstetrics and other specialists where needed, and to review long-term risk and treatment.
Signs I would like you to seek care for
For emergency symptoms please seek urgent or emergency care first rather than waiting for a WhatsApp reply.
Sudden chest pain, breathlessness or coughing up blood: please go to an emergency department
Stroke-like symptoms: face drooping, weakness, slurred speech or sudden visual change: emergency care
A painful swollen leg on one side: seek urgent medical review
Repeated pregnancy loss with previously positive antiphospholipid antibodies
Known APS with a new symptom that concerns you
What a specialist review looks like
In clinic I review your clotting and pregnancy history, autoimmune symptoms, family history, medications and any previous antibody tests. Where needed I arrange repeat antibody testing at least twelve weeks apart and coordinate with your other doctors. If the picture fits APS, I explain what this means for long-term risk, pregnancy planning and everyday life.
Questions my patients often ask me
Speak with me
If you have had a clot, a stroke at a young age, repeated pregnancy loss, or a positive antiphospholipid antibody, please seek specialist care. I would like to help you understand what the results mean and plan your care.
Other conditions I treat
This page is for general education only and does not replace medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment.