Anti-Cardiolipin IgM details

Anti-cardiolipin IgM antibodies are autoantibodies that mistakenly target cardiolipin, a phospholipid involved in normal blood clotting regulation. Along with the IgG and IgA subtypes, IgM anti-cardiolipin is tested as part of the antiphospholipid antibody panel used to help diagnose antiphospholipid syndrome, an autoimmune condition linked to increased risk of blood clots and pregnancy complications like recurrent miscarriage. IgM-class antibodies can sometimes appear or fluctuate with infections or other transient triggers, so — as with the other antiphospholipid antibodies — a positive result is usually confirmed with repeat testing at least 12 weeks later rather than acted on from a single result.