Factor V Leiden deficiency

[KingGeno]

Hey Dr. Steve.

You rock.

I was wondering if you know much about Factor V Leiden (http://www.fvleiden.org/).

Found out that I have this blood deficiency about two years ago. My father went in to the hospital with a Pulmonary Embolism, and I was told to get my blood checked for the gene. Well, Gene IV had the gene passed on from Gene III.

I'm concerned about how serious this is. My father just had another pulmonary embolism, and my uncle (his bro) had one detected three weeks ago. I am worried about what I have to look towards. I have been taking tylenol once a day to thin my blood out a little. I don't wanna go on blood thinners like Cumodin, cuz I look at my father and he is just not as energetic and italian-like the way he used to be.

I am also worried about my sister who has the gene. She has had two miscarriages over the past two years, and she is finally months into a pregnancy and I am worried that this gene can cause probs.

Sorry for the terrible grammar. Think of it as me writing a doctor's note to you. Just complete chicken scratch. :tongue:

Thanks again,
GS

[Dr Steve]

Hey Dr. Steve.

You rock.

I was wondering if you know much about Factor V Leiden (http://www.fvleiden.org/).

Found out that I have this blood deficiency about two years ago. My father went in to the hospital with a Pulmonary Embolism, and I was told to get my blood checked for the gene. Well, Gene IV had the gene passed on from Gene III.

I'm concerned about how serious this is. My father just had another pulmonary embolism, and my uncle (his bro) had one detected three weeks ago. I am worried about what I have to look towards. I have been taking tylenol once a day to thin my blood out a little. I don't wanna go on blood thinners like Cumodin, cuz I look at my father and he is just not as energetic and italian-like the way he used to be.

I am also worried about my sister who has the gene. She has had two miscarriages over the past two years, and she is finally months into a pregnancy and I am worried that this gene can cause probs.

Sorry for the terrible grammar. Think of it as me writing a doctor's note to you. Just complete chicken scratch. :tongue:

Thanks again,
GS


Geno:

Yeah, Factor V Leiden can be a real pain in the ass. It's in the group of conditions called "thrombophilias" (literally translated as "clot lovers") that predispose people to blood clots. Did you have one gene for FVL or two? People with only one gene tend to do better overall.

The good news? I have known 70 and 80 year olds with Factor V Leiden deficiency. In addition, my understanding is that most people with FVL won't ever have a problem with it. It increases your risk of clotting, but doesn't doom you to a life of endless complications. DON'T SMOKE! Smoking increases the risk of complications. Women with FVL shouldn't take estrogen or the pill for the same reasons.

Your sister should be seeing a hematologist while she's pregnant...they can give her low molecular weight heparin to avoid clotting during pregnancy. Coumadin (the usual "blood thinner") crosses the placenta and can't be taken during pregnancy.



hope this helps!


your pal,


steve