Beta-2 Glycoprotein 1 Antibodies
- Also Known As:
- Anti-Beta-2 Glycoprotein 1
- β2-Glycoprotein 1 Antibodies
- Beta 2GP1 Ab
- Formal Name:
- Beta-2 Glycoprotein 1 Antibodies IgG
- IgM
- and IgA

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At a Glance
Why Get Tested?
To help diagnose antiphospholipid syndrome (APS); to help diagnose the cause of an unexplained blood clot (thrombotic episode or venous thromboembolism); to help determine the cause of recurrent miscarriages in women
When To Get Tested?
When you have signs and symptoms of APS and/or have had one or more unexplained blood clots in a vein or artery; when you have had more than one miscarriage, especially in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy
Sample Required?
A blood sample drawn from a vein in your arm
Test Preparation Needed?
None
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The reference ranges for your tests can be found on your laboratory report. They are typically found to the right of your results.
If you do not have your lab report, consult your healthcare provider or the laboratory that performed the test(s) to obtain the reference range.
Laboratory test results are not meaningful by themselves. Their meaning comes from comparison to reference ranges. Reference ranges are the values expected for a healthy person. They are sometimes called “normal” values. By comparing your test results with reference values, you and your healthcare provider can see if any of your test results fall outside the range of expected values. Values that are outside expected ranges can provide clues to help identify possible conditions or diseases.
While accuracy of laboratory testing has significantly evolved over the past few decades, some lab-to-lab variability can occur due to differences in testing equipment, chemical reagents, and techniques. This is a reason why so few reference ranges are provided on this site. It is important to know that you must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are “within normal limits.”
For more information, please read the article Reference Ranges and What They Mean.
What is being tested?
Beta-2 glycoprotein 1 antibody is an autoantibody that is associated with inappropriate blood clotting. This test detects and measures beta-2 glycoprotein 1 antibodies in the blood.
Beta-2 glycoprotein antibody is considered one of the primary autoantibodies called antiphospholipid antibodies that mistakenly target the body’s own lipid-proteins (phospholipids) found in the outermost layer of cells (cell membranes) and platelets. This test is often ordered along with tests for other antiphospholipid antibodies, including cardiolipin antibody and lupus anticoagulant.
Antiphospholipid antibodies interfere with the body’s blood clotting process in a way that is not fully understood yet. They increase the risk of developing inappropriate blood clots (thrombi) in both arteries and veins.
Antiphospholipid antibodies most frequently develop in people with the autoimmune disorder called antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). This condition is associated with widespread blood clots (thrombotic episodes), a low platelet count (thrombocytopenia), or with pregnancy complications such as pre-eclampsia and recurrent miscarriages, especially in the second and third trimesters.
Also, some people with autoimmune disorders such as lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE) may begin to produce one or more of these autoantibodies, which can put them at risk of forming blood clots in blood vessels.
Common Questions
View Sources
Sources Used in Current Review
Movva, S. et. al. (2018 September 30, Updated). Antiphospholipid Syndrome. Medscape Rheumatology. Available online at https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/333221-overview. Accessed October 2019.
Berg, T. (2017 January 17, Updated). Antiphospholipid Syndrome and Pregnancy. Medscape Obstetrics & Gynecology. Available online at https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/261691-overview. Accessed October 2019.
(© 1995-2019). Beta-2 Glycoprotein 1 Antibodies, IgG and IgM, Serum. Mayo Clinic Laboratories. Available online at https://www.mayocliniclabs.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/62926. Accessed October 2019.
Linnemann, B. (2018 August 9). Antiphospholipid syndrome – an update. Vasa (2018), 47, pp. 451-464. Available online at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30205764. Accessed October 2019.
Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Available online at https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/antiphospholipid-antibody-syndrome. Accessed October 2019.
Moser, K. et. al. (2019 January, Updated). Antiphospholipid Syndrome – APS. ARUP Consult. Available online at https://arupconsult.com/content/antiphospholipid-syndrome. Accessed October 2019.
Ahluwalia, J. and Sreedharanunni, S. (2017 October 22, Updated). The Laboratory Diagnosis of the Antiphospholipid Syndrome. Indian J Hematol Blood Transfus. 2017 Mar; 33(1): 8–14. Available online at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5280868/. Accessed October 2019.
De Groot, P. and Urbanus, R. (2012 March 2). The significance of autoantibodies against β2-glycoprotein I. Blood 2012 120:266-274. Available online at http://www.bloodjournal.org/content/120/2/266?sso-checked=true. Accessed October 2019.
Sources Used in Previous Reviews
(Reviewed 2010 December 15). Learning About Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS). National Human Genome Research Institute [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.genome.gov/17516396. Accessed March 2011.
Belilos, E. and Carsons, S. (Updated 2009 August 3). Antiphospholipid Syndrome. eMedicine [On-line information]. Available online at http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/333221-overview. Accessed March 2011.
Rodgers, III, G. et. al (Updated 2011 January). Antiphospholipid Syndrome – APS. ARUP Consult [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.arupconsult.com/Topics/APS.html?client_ID=LTD. Accessed March 2011.
(© 1995–2011). Unit Code 88894: Beta-2 Glycoprotein 1 Antibodies, IgG, IgM, and IgA, Serum Mayo Clinic, Mayo Medical Laboratories [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Overview/88894. Accessed March 2011.
(© 2011). Antiphospholipid Antibodies. Lupus Foundation of America, Inc. [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.lupus.org/webmodules/webarticlesnet/templates/new_learnaffects.aspx?articleid=2302&zoneid=526. Accessed March 2011.
(Revised 2010 August). Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/aps/aps_all.html. Accessed March 2011.
(© 2004-2011). Autoimmune Disease in Women, American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.aarda.org/women_and_autoimmunity.php. Accessed March 2011.
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(Reviewed 2010 December 15). Learning About Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS). National Human Genome Research Institute. Available online at http://www.genome.gov/17516396. Accessed February 2015.
Movva, S. (Updated 2014 June 19). Antiphospholipid Syndrome. eMedicine. Available online at http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/333221-overview. Accessed February 2015.
Rodgers, III, G. et. al (Updated 2014 November). Antiphospholipid Syndrome – APS. ARUP Consult. Available online at http://www.arupconsult.com/Topics/APS.html?client_ID=LTD. Accessed February 2015.
(© 1995–2015). Unit Code 88894: Beta-2 Glycoprotein 1 Antibodies, IgA, Serum Mayo Clinic, Mayo Medical Laboratories. Available online at http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/interpretive-guide/?alpha=B&unit_code=86180. Accessed February 2015.
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(Revised 2012 May 17). Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Available online at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/aps/. Accessed February 2015.
Rand, J. and Wolgast, L. Dos and don’ts in diagnosing antiphospholipid syndrome. ASH Education Book 2012; 1 455-459. doi: 10.1182/asheducation-2012.1.455. Available online at http://asheducationbook.hematologylibrary.org/content/2012/1/455.full. Accessed February 2015.
(August 16, 2012) Hammad T. Antiphospholipid Antibodies. Medscape Reference. Available online at http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2116457-overview#a30. Accessed February 2015.
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