Factor V Leiden

[DramaticGene]

Just wondering if anyone knows much about this??

HAve had 4 m/c incl one at 16 weeks 3 months ago. Both me and DH had a HEAP of blood taken and the results letter came back this morning. I quote " ... the results of your blood clotting tests show one abnormality and the consultant Haematologist has requested a further test. The genetics tests from you and your husband are reported as normal as was your thyroid function test". A card was enclosed for a boold test with "Factor V Leiden specified".

Anyone know anything about this?? A quick search suggests that it IS genetic so not sure why letter says genetic tests normal.

Have very mixed feelings today. finally, a possible reason but all my fault!

[Dozer]

Hiya. V sorry for what you're going through.

It's not your fault! Your body is as it is, nothing you've done or could do about it. Please don't beat yourself up.

The genetic or karyotyping tests are tests to see if there is anything in you or your partner's genes that could cause miscarriage due to chromosomal abnormalities, e.g. a missing or mixed up bit of chromosomes.

V Leiden is passed on genetically in families, it's something different, think it causes miscarriage because of the way your blood clots.

There is really thorough discussion of it and what it means for pregnancies and health more generally in Professor Lesley Regan's book on miscarriage.

It's worrying to have a blood clotting problem in that sadly it does put you at higher risk of miscarriages, including later miscarriages. With these tests it's actually better news if they don't find any "reason" for m/cs. But there is treatment to try (e.g.aspirin, heparin) and extra monitoring. Hopefully your doctors will come up with a medication / scanning plan for when you're ready to try again.

I know (through other websites) a number of women with clotting problems who have had successful pregnancies (with treatment) after many m/c.

Hope you get a chance to talk it through with the doctor soon. Best wishes for the future.