Description

The Factor V Leiden (FAK-tur five LIDE-n) is a mutation of one of the clotting factors in the blood. This mutation can increase your risk of developing abnormal blood clots, most commonly in the legs or lungs.

Most people with factor V Leiden never develop abnormal clots. But the people who do, these abnormal clots can lead to long-term health problems or become life-threatening.

Both men and women can have factor V Leiden. Women who carry the factor V Leiden mutation may have an increased tendency to develop blood clots during pregnancy or when taking the hormone estrogen.

If you have factor V Leiden and have developed blood clots, blood-thinning medicines can decrease your risk of developing additional blood clots, and help prevent potentially serious complications.

Symptoms

The factor V Leiden mutation by itself does not cause any symptoms. Since factor V Leiden is a risk for the development of blood clots in the leg or in the lung, the first indication that you have the disorder may be the development of an abnormal blood clots.

Some clots do no harm, and disappear on their own. Others can be life-threatening. The symptoms of a blood clot depend on what part of your body is affected.

The formation of a blood clot in a deep vein

This is known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which occurs most commonly in the legs. A deep vein thrombosis may not cause any symptoms. If signs and symptoms do occur, they may include:

  • The pain
  • Swelling
  • Redness
  • The heat

A blood clot that travels to the lungs

Known as a pulmonary embolism, this occurs when a portion of a dvt breaks off and travels through the right side of your heart to your lungs, where it blocks the flow of blood. This can be a life-threatening situation. Signs and symptoms may include:

  • Sudden shortness of breath
  • Chest pain when breathing
  • A cough that produces blood or streaks of blood in sputum
  • Fast heartbeat

When to see a doctor

Seek medical attention right away if you have signs or symptoms of a deep vein thrombosis or a pulmonary embolism.

Causes

If you have factor V Leiden, you inherited, either a copy or, rarely, two copies of the defective gene. Inherits a copy slightly increases the risk of developing blood clots. Inheriting two copies — one from each parent — significantly increases your risk of developing blood clots.

Risk factors

A family history of factor V Leiden increases the risk of inheriting the disorder. The disorder is more common in people who are white and of European descent.

People who have inherited factor V Leiden from only one of the parents has a 5 percent chance of developing abnormal blood clots by the age of 65 years. Factors that increase this risk include:

  • Two defective genes. Inherit the gene mutation from both parents instead of just one can significantly increase the risk of abnormal blood clots.
  • Immobility. The prolonged periods of immobility, such as sitting still during a long trip by plane, you may increase the risk of leg clots.
  • Estrogen. Oral contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy, and pregnancy can make you more likely to develop blood clots.
  • Surgeries or injuries. Surgeries or injuries such as broken bones may increase your risk of abnormal blood clots.
  • Non-O blood type. Abnormal blood clots are more common in people who have blood type a, B or AB in comparison with those with type o blood.

Complications

The Factor V Leiden can cause blood clots in the legs (deep vein thrombosis) and lungs (pulmonary embolism). These blood clots can be life-threatening.

Diagnosis

Your doctor may suspect that the factor V Leiden, if you have had one or more episodes of abnormal blood clotting or if you have a family history of abnormal blood clots. Your doctor can confirm that you have the factor V Leiden with a blood test.

Treatment

Doctors often prescribe blood-thinning medications for the treatment of people who develop abnormal blood clots. This type of medicine in general, it is not necessary for people who have the factor V Leiden mutation, but who have not experienced abnormal blood clots.

However, your doctor may suggest that you take extra precautions to prevent blood clots if you have the factor V Leiden mutation and are going to operate. These precautions may include:

  • A short course of blood thinners
  • Wraps around the leg and inflate and deflate to keep the blood moving in your legs
  • Compression stockings
  • Go for a walk soon after surgery

Lifestyle and home remedies

Some precautions to help reduce your risk of blood clots include:

  • Keep your legs in motion. When your legs remain still for hours, the calf muscles don't contract, which normally helps the circulation of the blood. If you're on a long plane ride, lift the toes up and down, and rotate the ankles every hour or so. Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration, and avoid the consumption of alcohol. On a car trip, take regular breaks and walk around.
  • Consider the possibility of compression stockings. These types of socks, which usually come down to the knees, help to improve the blood circulation in your legs. Ask your doctor if it may be a good option for your situation.
  • Be cautious with the estrogen. Oral contraceptives or estrogen replacement therapy may increase the risk of blood clots in their own, so be sure to discuss the risks and benefits of estrogen-containing medications with your doctor if you have factor V Leiden.

Prevent excessive bleeding

If the factor V Leiden requires that you take anticoagulant medication, here are some steps that can help prevent injuries and avoid excessive bleeding:

  • Avoid contact sports or participate in other activities that could result in physical injury. Regular non-contact exercise, such as walking or swimming, it is still recommended for good health.
  • The use of a soft toothbrush and waxed thread.
  • Avoid cuts from shaving with an electric razor.
  • Be cautious with the household tasks, involving knives, scissors and other sharp tools.

Preparing for your appointment

Your doctor may refer you to a specialist in genetic disorders (genetic) or a specialist in blood disorders (hematologist) for testing to determine if the cause of the formation of blood clots is of genetic origin and, specifically, if you have factor V Leiden.

Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment.

  • List of the symptoms that you are experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
  • The list of your health history, including a history of blood clots. Include a family history of blood clots or known members of the family with factor V Leiden.
  • Make a list of all medications, vitamins or supplements you are taking, along with the dosage of each one.
  • List of questions to ask your doctor.

For the factor V Leiden, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

  • What kinds of tests do I need?
  • I need to see a specialist?
  • Do my factor V Leiden need to be treated?
  • Do I need to take medication to prevent the formation of blood clots?
  • What types of side effects can I expect from the medicine?
  • What I need to limit my activity in any way?
  • If you have children, you do not need to be tested?
  • Do you have any brochures or other printed material that I can take with me? What sites do you recommend?

If your doctor has recommended genetic testing, some of the questions that you could ask the specialist in genetics, which include:

  • How accurate is this test?
  • What are the risks of the test?
  • What information is going to come out of the test?
  • Which will give a positive or negative result tell me?
  • The results of the test affect my ability to get health insurance?
  • It is an uncertain outcome possible, and what that means?
  • What are my treatment options if a mutation is found?
  • Could other members of the family are affected?
  • Should my children be tested?
  • What measures are in place to protect my privacy?
  • How experienced is the laboratory in the realization of this test?
  • How much time does it take to get results?
Symptoms and treatment of Factor V Leiden