Paging Golden...Factor V Leiden

[missjaxon]

I was reading your old post about Factor V Leiden, I too am heterozygous and was diagnosed ( and all my siblings, uncles, grandfather and cousins) in 2003 after my mom suffered bilateral pulmonary emboli in multiples, and just last week lost my Grandfather because he had multiple strokes due to this disorder. I was wondering what your doctors told you about it and if you had to make any life changes due to it ex. diet, medications, etc. Also if you have any information about Factor V Leiden and pregnancy. I have tried to look online, but have not found much information and find that my family doctor isn''t very familiar with this condition. Any information you got would be greatly appreciated. I am currently waiting to get in to see an OB/GYN specialist for other reasons and will definitely be bringing this up with her.

 

[zhuzhu]

I personally do not have any experience with mutation testing in the factor V leiden gene. However I have access to medical literature so here is an abstract describing the increased risk of venous thromboembolism during pregnancy for individuals with certain genotypes. Medically I believe your doctors will put you on antithrombotic therapy during the course of the pregnancy.

Prothrombin and factor V mutations in women with a history of thrombosis during pregnancy and the puerperium. Zotz RB et al, N Engl J Med. 2000 Feb 10;342(6):374-80.
BACKGROUND: Venous thromboembolism is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality during pregnancy and the puerperium. However, the role of mutations in the prothrombin and factor V genes and other thrombophilic abnormalities as risk factors for thromboembolism in women during pregnancy and the pueperium is not known. METHODS: In a study of 119 women with a history of venous thromboembolism during pregnancy and the puerperium and 233 age-matched normal women, we measured the activity of antithrombin, protein C, protein S, and lupus anticoagulant. We also performed genetic analyses to detect the G1691A mutation in the factor V gene (factor V Leiden), the G20210A mutation in the prothrombin gene, and the C677T mutation in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene. Blood samples were obtained at least three months post partum or after the cessation of lactation. RESULTS: Among the women with a history of venous thromboembolism, the prevalence of factor V Leiden was 43.7 percent, as compared with 7.7 percent among the normal women (relative risk of venous thromboembolism, 9.3; 95 percent confidence interval, 5.1 to 16.9); that of the G20210A prothrombin-gene mutation, 16.9 percent as compared with 1.3 percent (relative risk, 15.2; 95 percent confidence interval, 4.2 to 52.6); and that of both factor V Leiden and the G20210A prothrombin-gene mutation 9.3 percent as compared with 0 (estimated odds ratio, 107). Assuming an overall risk of 1 in 1500 pregnancies, the risk of thrombosis among carriers of factor V Leiden was 0.2 percent, among carriers of the G20210A prothrombin-gene mutation, 0.5 percent, and among carriers of both defects, 4.6 percent, as calculated in a multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The G20210A prothrombin-gene mutation and factor V Leiden individually are associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism during pregnancy and the puerperium, and the risk among women with both mutations is disproportionately higher than that among women with only one mutation.

 

[missjaxon]

Thanks for the info zhuzhu!

 

[zhuzhu]

I want to also mention that even though FVL mutation predisposes pregnancy to certain risks, with proper medical management you can still have a safe pregnancy and perfectly healthy babies.

Do not let it bother or scare you. As long as you seek proper consultation and work with your doctors you will be fine!

 

[neatfreak]

Miss J, another thing to note is that Factor V (while not proven) has been associated with miscarriage in many women. So hopefully you won''t find yourself in that situation, but it''s worth mentioning to your OB to see if there is anything you can do to help prevent a mc.

 

[missjaxon]

Zhuzhu, Thank you so much for the information and the reassurance. It is nice to have wonderful support from you fantastic PSers.

Neatfreak, Thank you as well, I will be bringing up all of my concerns with my OB/GYN. I am glad you mentioned it because, that is something that worries me. I have also been diagnosed with PCOS and so I am hoping when the time comes (which is sooner then later) I will be fortunate enough to not have any complications TTC as I know many women have no problems with either condition. Only time will tell and until then, I don''t want to worry myself or waste my time thinking "what if".

 

[diane5006]

I am posting a few links so people can learn more about this

This is from Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Factor_V_Leiden

From F Vleiden . org

http://www.fvleiden.org/

From NIH

http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition=factorvleidenthrombophilia

From Mayo Clinic

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/factor-v-leiden/DS01083


From Natural Childbirth good info hard to read...bad formatting

http://www.naturalchildbirth.org/natural/resources/prebirth/prebirth35.htm

 

[missjae]

What a coincidence! I was surfing through PS and found this thread and popped in without even noticing that my identical twin sister was a part of it! LOL...I guess we are more alike then we know I love you Jaxxie and for the post, I too have Factor V Leiden and am VERY interested in learning more to deal with it in my future.