free protein s levels

[just1moreplease]

hi all,

so, i had an appt today with a heamatologist. some of the tests i had back in november 2009 have shown that my levels of protein s are low. from what i read on my cons referral letter the normal range is 70%-140% ish. my levels where 34%.

anyone have any experience with this?

he had advised that protein s is something that effects the way the blood clots and that i will be started on aspirin straight away then daily heparin injections when i get a bfp.

anyone hving the same treatment? what can i expect?

tia

x

Hi J1MP

Good that you got your results back.

Did you have your blood tests shortly after a MC? The reason I ask is because my consultant said that protein s falls during preg.

I have had clotting tested 3 times since sept and the results have been inconsistent.

Prior to preg/mc - protein c and s were abnormal. Had to have them repeated - I was in early preg at the time (9 weeks). Protein s came back low (14, normal range being 45-105). C was was normal.

Third repeat (11 weeks preg)- everything normal.

4th repeat due.

So, I suspect there is some clotting issue but my consulatnt said not bad enough to require heparin, just asprin.

hi sh i had the first test just after my last erpc,(bby stopped growinng at 8+5 erpc at 10+3 wks) so my first thought was that any remaining hcg may cause false results.

when i asked today he said that the level of hcg at the time of the test was so small that it should not have affected the results atall. i was getting negtive tests at the time. but he did also add that even if i was pg and the level was that low he would still advise heparin.

my gp arranged a second test a few weeks after the first and that showed a similar result, although he did not give me the exact number.

i had a 3rd test today but he did say he would go ahead and give the heparin any way.

he was a lovely dr and has arranged to see me again straight after my next cons appt in feb.

even if the heparin doesnt work at least i feel like im doing something ifswim.

where are you at with your tests?

• negative pregnancy test results at the time' that should read

Hi I had aspirin and heparin for a different blood clotting prob, APLS. It was fine - they started me on the heparin after a viability scan at 7 weeks, had aspirin from positive pg test although have heard of others having aspirin pre-conception.

The heparin I had to inject myself at the same time every day, I got used to it quickly, it didn't hurt really but it leaves massive bruises! I had lots of extra scans inc. growth scans and doppler scans to check blood flow through the placenta. I did have a bleed at 9 weeks which was very scary but it was from implantation.

I hope this helps and I really hope the aspirin and heparin works for you - for my condition, the chances of a pg going the distance rise from 20% without the drugs to over 80% with them. I just had a 38 week pg and a healthy baby on the drugs, following two prem labours one at 35 weeks, one at 18 weeks which could not be stopped.

For my fourth repeat, doc said to do it 8 weeks after erpc. I am 8 weeks past now, so will have repeats done next week.

Good that you had repeats also.

I am not pg at the mo. Still waiting for periods to return. No retained tissue but still having painful boobs. I want to have 2 periods before TTC.

I read your previous posts and am really pleased for you that (whilst not nice to have clotting), you have found a possible reason for MC. I had my MC 4 months after my baby died, so the docs were kind enough to check me for clotting when I asked them.

sh i had 1st tests done on sept 4th 2009, second lot early november so should be enough of a gap between to get some valid results. i have also read some of your previous posts, and cannot imagine what you have been through. you must be a very strong woman.

the waitin to ttc is a nightmare for me, i physically feel fine and just want to get on with it now. feels like we are wasting valuable time!

good luck with the rest of your tests.

owlingate did you have any miscarriages before starting your treatments? i tried aspirin in my last pg but it didnt make any difference.

not looking forward to injecting myself hoping dp will do it for me. and i bruise really bad already. i suppose its worth it though.

thank you for sharing.

xx

Thanks J1MP. Wishing you a BFP and healthy pregnancy very soon. Glad you have some answers. xx

Yes sorry I didn't make it clear, was on aspirin alone for pg no.2 which I miscarried at 18 weeks so it can't have made much difference. Aspirin and heparin together got me this baby born at 38 weeks.

Also was prescribed extremely high dose folic acid though this might be specific to my blood results. I'm sure there's someone else with protein s deficiency on mumsnet, do a quick search.

Sh77 re your tests - my clotting tests had to be done three times, 6 weeks apart, when not pg and not within 6 weeks of pg to check. My results were only medium abnormal -however coupled with my med history it was clear heparin was needed. FWIW heparin does not harm the baby and does not cross the placenta.

Thanks owling. Really good that you found outa cause for your MC and that the heparin is working well. I am just confused why such discrepancy in my results - test at 9 weeks pg showed protein s deficieny and at 11 weeks, all normal.

First test, I was 1-2 weeks - c and s abnormal. My consultant said that he thought the way the blood had been collected/analysed could have caused it. I am hoping for a clear answer in next set.

I was also testted for lupus, anti-cardiolipin and APSL. All normal.

I have started taking garlic tablets (not to be taken in preg). They have all sorts of amazing properties - natural antibiotic (a skin rash I had for weeks cleared up after two days) but also keeps the blood thin, which is why older people are recommended it as it can help against cholestorol and heart attacks. I suppose it is a natural asprin.

owl so sorry you suffered a loss that far along.

i was wondering about taking extra folic acid. what does do you take? i remember reading somewhere about a woman who suffered multiple mc then went on to have dc after taking double dose folic acid.

congrats on your baby though.

sh would your cons not consider giving you heparin regardless of the blood results. although everyones levels drop during pg, surely the fact that they drop as low as 14 would indicate it would benefit you. especially as as owl says it doesnt affect the bby.

Both me and my sister (SGK) have this problem. Both myself and her had to inject ourselfs daily with clexane when pregnant and I had to continue this when having an operation 3 weeks post birth.

Its fairly easy to do and they just are more careful about clots ect. I have had 3 clots, but during pregnancy i had placental failure, and so low birth weight babioes but they were fine
HTH

lunatic i have answered your on your other thread as best i can. i should of said i am very sorry for your losses. hope you get some ansers soon.

lisa can i ask how low your levels were? and was this something you were aware of before you became pg?

thanks for all your replies ladies. x