Unexplained bruising - blood test all clear

[user1497263391]

I’m 35, have two kids and experiencing what I (and the doc suspects may be peri symptoms for the past two years) had a blood test just before Christmas 2024 and all was clear apart from serretin which was slightly low but not surprising as I have super super heavy periods and testosterone which was almost zero.

I’m not on any meds or contraception.

referral to gynae for suspected peri symptoms

have another blood test in a few weeks and a repeat to check fsh levels, the bruising continues on my legs with no clear explanation as to why. Bruising only seems to be on my legs and usually on the inner thighs. I know I absolutely have not hurt myself.

my legs feel slightly achy but not painful, no redness or swelling.

pics attached of the worst ones, can anyone shed any light from their own experiences with this?

thanks!

Have you always bruised easily or bled more than usual?

I had crazy heavy periods as a teen, then went on the pill so periods were far more manageable, came off pill a year or so pre kids and then since having my second child my periods have really ramped up to an unmanageable amount (despite transexamic acid)

always bruised fairly easily but nothing like this

no bleeding issues during dental work or second birth but was borderline for bleeding a transfusion with first born

So have you ever been checked for a bleeding disorder ? I have one and it can take forever for someone to actually test. Plus the tests are quite specific so don’t get picked up by usual basic tests.

I’m not sure, do you know what type of tests would be requested for a bleeding disorder?

they checked clotting on my last test would that be it?

I don't think it's as simple as clotting tests.

This might be a start

www.cdc.gov/von-willebrand/diagnosis/index.html

@user1497263391 do you take anti depressants? I had this when taking duloxetine, and it turned out to be the culprit! The bruising stopped when I came off it.
Increased bleeding is lesser known side effect of some ADs. I now take venlafaxine, and while I do bruise slightly more easily, it's nowhere near the bruises I was getting on duloxetine. I remember being embarrassed once going swimming with my DDs, as the bruises on my legs were so bad.

Thank you I’ll have a look in to this 👍🏻

So it could be a medication issue as a pp suggests (I am not medical!) but some of what you've posted also fits with my history including not being diagnosed and having mixed responses to injury/events. I would read up a bit on all suggestions and maybe ask the GP?

hey thanks for this, had read similar on other threads but doesn’t fit for me unfortunately as I don’t take any meds apart from transexamic acid for the first few days of my period

Thanks it sounds like you had a journey to get your answers, glad you eventually got them.

I’m not on any meds apart from transexamic acid for the first few days of my period so I’ll wait for the next lot of blood and then bring up VWD at my review.

tx so much!

No worries - for us it's hereditary so maybe think about if there's anyone (parent or child) with a similar issue. Good luck, think we paid for the first test privately and then the nhs took over

ah funnily enough I was at the paed dermatologist with my eldest the other week to discuss ongoing Petachie like bleeding under her skin, wonder if it’s somehow linked…

www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/health-information/bleeding-disorders

This looks like a list. At least you could rule off out?

*it out