by Bobski606
Factor V Leiden is a genetic mutation of the receptor of the cell that attaches to Protein C when breaking down a clot. Now, you're probably thinking, huh, what does all this mean? Well, it would probably help if I go through a little bit of background information with you.
Photo Credit: Illustration of Normal Blood Flow Vs Blocked Blood Flow
When there is trauma to a blood vessel the body releases clotting factors and platelets into the blood stream to plug up the tear in the blood vessel wall. When the repair job has been done the body releases anticoagulants that break down the clot and dissolve it back into the blood stream. See the video below if you'd like an animated version.
So now that you know how clotting works my first statement makes more sense. Factor V is a clotting agent sent in to plug up the damaged vessel wall and when it's time to be dissolved that little clotting factor just wont budge. This is because the anticoagulant - Protein C in this case - just can't grab on to it because the receptors have been changed on the clotting factor. This doesn't mean that it can't be dissolved, just that it takes much longer to do.
FVL comes in two variables depending on your inherited genetics: heterozygous (one gene is abnormal) or homozygous (both genes are abnormal). See below for a further descriptions.
This is where your genetics and your parent's genetics come into play. The main difference, and simplest way to explain it, is whether you have one gene (heterozygous) or two genes (homozygous) that have mutated.
The heterozygous version of FVL occurs when you inherit one abnormal gene from one parent and a normal gene from the other. The abnormal gene can come from either parent as it has no preference over male or female genetics unlike some inherited conditions. The heterozygous gene will come from one affected parent's gene and then paired with you other parent's unaffected gene. There is a 50% chance that you will inherit the heterozygous condition from the affected parent (see the diagram below).
With the homozygous version it means that you have inherited the abnormal gene from both parents so you're more likely to clot as it's twice as inefficient in breaking down clots. You will definitely have the mutated gene with this version and will pass it on to any children you have, however they may not be affected by it if their other parent in not a carrier.
 Heterozygous Genetics Bobski606 |  Homozygous Genetics Bobski606 |
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If you're lucky enough to not have any clotting issues then a good diet and active lifestyle will keep you safe. Make sure that you're getting around 30 minutes of activity a day whether it's a stroll after dinner, yoga, swimming, or some weight training. These are all good options and will help to get the blood moving around the body and decrease your risk of clotting later.
If you have had a clot then you may need to wear compression stockings (for lower limb clots) and be put on blood thinners depending on the severity of your condition. Blood is normally thinned with warfarin (also known as coumadin) but depending on the severity you may need injections of heparin (like me) or an intravenous drip of heparin (like my initial hospital stay) if you're in a really bad state.
Side note: Compression stockings can get incredibly itchy by the way as they make your skin very dry. If you find this to be a problem then make sure that you're drinking enough water and get a good moisturizer to apply to your skin whenever you need it. I'd also recommend, if you can, removing them in the evening so that your skin can breathe and get repairing those skin cells.
About 5-8% of the UK population (where I'm from) have FVL and about 80% of those people never have any problems. The most common complication is a DVT otherwise known as a Deep Vein Thrombosis, next is the risk of developing Pulmonary Embolisms (clots in the lungs), and then if you're a women you can suffer complications in pregnancy. Unfortunately I'm one of those people who clot and it was even worse for me because I was on hormonal birth control which pushes my risk up by another 34% if I was healthy in the first place.
My Experience Of Hormonal Birth Controls
Coming Off of Hormonal Birth Control
Coming off of Birth Control: 3 Months Later
As I've mentioned before I've experienced both DVTs and Pulmonary Embolisms so I know what it's like to be in trouble there. The best piece of advice I can give you is make sure you know what the symptoms of a deep vein thrombosis are as they could very well save your life one day.
Symptoms include, but are not limited to:
Deep vein thrombosis tend to occur in the thigh and calf, especially in people who are sedentary for most of their day. However, just because this is the case it doesn't mean that you can't get DVTs in your arms or elsewhere.
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Comments
Thanks for stopping by, feel free to pm me if you or your daughter want to talk about anything x
We recently learned my daughter has Factor Five. This is a very good article, I like details and you have included all the details. When talking to the doctors or patient having been diagnosed it is hard to get all the details, this is a great resource. Thank YOU! I will share this with my daughter.