Are the rare blood clots associated with AZ linked to an underlying health condition?

[Tonylepony]

Has a link been found between the people who have suffered from these rare blood clots? It seems quite likely the people who have suffered from them are considered vulnerable to coronavirus as the vaccination has not yet been rolled out to younger age groups apart from those in group 6.

Lots of younger people have had the vaccine because of their jobs. I had mine in February and not vulnerable. I believe a couple of the German (I think) cases were nurses

I'd like to know how many were on the contraceptive pill, which has its own risk of clots. Could the two together increase susceptibility?

Lots of younger people have had the vaccine because of their jobs
I’d assumed these were mostly HCP who had the Pfizer as they started their vaccination before AZ was approved.

Just my own theory but I suspect a lot of the cases already had some sort of blood clotting issue but didn’t know. Blood clots are a lot more common generally than people realise, it’s why they make such a fuss about people moving about on long journeys / dvts on planes etc. The thing is unless people have specific blood tests that check for clotting issues (which aren’t done as part of standard blood tests, I know because I’ve had them done as part of lupus tests) they will never know.

You are far more likely to get a blood clot via Covid itself than the vaccine.!

I think I read something about a tentative link with autoimmune disorders.

@Tonylepony

Lots of younger people have had the vaccine because of their jobs I’d assumed these were mostly HCP who had the Pfizer as they started their vaccination before AZ was approved.

They were giving AZ to HCP at my local hospital in January (and beyond). A lot of carers of ECV children have been vaccinated too, mostly with AZ as they became eligible for theirs late February.

@WishingHopingThinkingPraying

I think I read something about a tentative link with autoimmune disorders.

Depends what autoimmune disorders, surely. With lupus for example there is often (not always) a higher risk of blood clots anyway. (I have lupus, I still had the AZ). Autoimmune conditions are many and varied.

@Bagelsandbrie isn't the issue more the type of the blood clot which is very rare in itself? DVTs are not uncommon but CVSTs are

I believe that links to factor v leiden are being explored, this is a genetic blood clotting disorder and many have it without realising. There also seem to be links between this and extremely low platelet counts following contracting covid.

I’m a HCP and had the AZ

As far as I know the only official line is stating a link with age and possibly sex. Investigations continue but I think (after someone pointing it out here) they’d need more cases to examine for further links. It’s so rare that commonalities may not be able to be identified at this point.

I’m also interested in whether it can be identified that this group have had a previous covid infection.

I’m also interested in reliable data about Sinovac and Sputnik. I wonder whether this is going to be a factor in this particular type of vaccine.

@FuzzyPuffling

I'd like to know how many were on the contraceptive pill, which has its own risk of clots. Could the two together increase susceptibility?

I had wondered this. Although I believe it's a different type of clot and the AZ one has a very different specific type of clot that starts in brain.

And the Johnson and Johnson vaccine is also viral vector like AZ I believe.

I assume that is what they are trying to establish, a link to an underlying health condition.

"I believe that links to factor v leiden are being explored, this is a genetic blood clotting disorder and many have it without realising. There also seem to be links between this and extremely low platelet counts following contracting covid."

Factor V Leiden is very common. About 5% have it although the inherited from both parents version is rarer. It wouldn't explain why the blood clotting seems to be occurring more in young women.

I think they are still investigating but from this article (which reads as balanced and well researched and lays out the issue), it says all 7 cases in Germany involved previously healthy people between ages 20 and 50.

www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2021/03/astrazeneca-vaccine-blood-clot-issue-wont-go-away/618451/

Of the 9 patients in the German study: 8 were women, 2 had an autoimmune condition and 2 had underlying coagulation conditions. It wasn’t reported whether any of the 9 had previously had a Covid infection.

As others have said lots of HCP have had AZ.

I’ve wondered about a possible increased risk for people on the pill.

Quite a number of people will have clotting disorders and not know. For women experiencing recurring miscarriages a clotting disorder is the most likely reason. But it’s not until they have a third miscarriage and get referred for tests that they get diagnosed.

So there will be a lot of people who have never been diagnosed. Therefore if AZ is a risk for people with an underlying clotting disorder it’s not as simple as saying not to give it to this group.

Must admit I’m worried for Dd. She has 4x autoimmune conditions and has had the first dose of AZ. I’m worried for her having the 2nd one.

Leading scientists don't even understand the full reasons yet; so how will a bunch of randomers on MN be able to answer this question?

Can a clotting disorder be picked up by a blood test?

@ichundich, 🤣

I have a rare clotting disorder and one of the effects is clots in non-typical places, including the ones that these women have suffered. I wondered the same thing.

@ineedaholidaynow

Can a clotting disorder be picked up by a blood test?

Yes but I think you’d only find it if you were looking for it iyswim. It’s not something that would come routinely if there was no other reason to be looking for it.