Factor V Leiden is an inherited condition with a risk of thrombosis. Heterozygous If you have one parent with the mutation and you have inherited factor V Leiden from them, your risk of a blood clot is 5 to 7 times higher than normal. Homozygous If both parents have Factor V Leiden and you have inherited two copies of the mutation, your risk of a blood clot is 40 … [Read more...]
Factor V Leiden and the Pill
The oral contraceptive was first introduced in the US in 1960. Within two years, over a million women in the US were taking the “pill” as a safe, effective form of contraception. The use snowballed, and hundreds of millions of women now use oral contraceptives. Some regard it as the most socially significant advance in modern medicine as it gave women reproductive … [Read more...]
Factor V Leiden – What is factor V Leiden?
In the last two posts, I discussed how factor V works and how Protein C controls its activity. In this post, I will look at the difference between Factor V and Factor V Leiden. What is Factor V Leiden? Factor V Leiden is an alternative form of Factor V caused by a small mutation in the factor V gene. First, I will take you through some basic genetics to help you … [Read more...]
How long should I stay on anticoagulants – Coronation Concert Edition
How long you need anticoagulants depends on the balance of risks between having a blood clot and bleeding; these will differ for each individual. Your specialist will decide the length of time anticoagulants are needed in your particular case. This is just a guide. To help you remember, I have added song titles from the performers at the Coronation Concert. I have even … [Read more...]
Factor V Leiden – Controlling Factor V
I explained how Factor V helped to speed up clotting in my last post. I compared it to pouring petrol on a fire. In this post, I will look at how Factor V is controlled. Clotting is complex but quite precisely controlled. It only takes place when and where you need it. You want the bleeding to stop at the site of the injury when you cut your finger, but you don’t want … [Read more...]
Factor V Leiden – What is Factor V?
In my introductory post about Factor V Leiden, I discussed how this is an inherited condition and relatively common affecting around 4% of people of European decent. In this post I will take you through some of the basics of clotting to help you understand why Factor V Leiden increases your risk of clots. Factor V Factor V Leiden is an abnormal form of the clotting … [Read more...]
Coagulation Essentials Quiz
It has been a while since I posted on Coagulation Conversation, but I have a series of posts planned on Factor V Leiden over the next few months. These should help you understand this condition and how it affects you. You may have seen my introductory post about this last year. I have a personal interest in this as it affects my family. However, to get back into … [Read more...]
I need surgery – on warfarin for venous thrombosis
Many of you have had a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolus (PE) or know somebody who has been affected by these conditions. Some of you will have had a short course of treatment, but if you have had more than one clot, you will likely stay on long-term treatment. Currently, most people with a DVT or PE are treated with newer drugs such as dabigatran, rivaroxaban or … [Read more...]
The twelfth of never? How long do I need anticoagulants?
How long you need anticoagulants depends on the balance of risks between having a blood clot and bleeding and these will be different for each individual. Your specialist will decide the length of time anticoagulants are needed in your particular case. This is just a guide. But it includes song titles. And the links to the songs on YouTube. We’re kind that … [Read more...]
