What is factor V Leiden?

What is factor V Leiden?

Factor V Leiden (FAK-tur five LIDE-n) is a mutation of one of the clotting factors in the blood. This mutation can increase your chance of developing abnormal blood clots, most commonly in your legs or lungs. Most people with factor V Leiden never develop abnormal clots.

What is the difference between a clot and a factor V?

Clots are clumps of blood cells called platelets and the liquid part of your blood called plasma. Factor V Leiden, also called FVL, is a change in your genes (the doctor will call it a mutation) that keeps this process from working right. It’s leads to a condition called factor V Leiden thrombophilia.

How can I tell if I have factor V?

Genetic test: If the blood test results aren’t clear, your doctor might recommend a genetic test to help confirm your diagnosis. This is typically done with a sample of your blood. It can tell you if you have the factor V problem gene and if you got it from one or both parents.

What is factor V deficiency?

Factor V deficiency is an inherited bleeding disorder that prevents blood clots from forming properly.

Factor V Leiden is the name of a specific gene mutation in the F5 gene. This gene plays a role in how your body forms blood clots after an injury. People can inherit one or two copies of the factor V Leiden gene mutation.

What are the chances of getting a blood clot with Leiden?

Still, it is estimated that 95% of people with factor V Leiden never develop a clot. When a clot does form, the clot most often occurs in your leg ( deep venous thrombosis or DVT) or lungs ( pulmonary embolism or PE).

What increases my risk for factor V Leiden thrombophilia?

As a result, our risk for having factor V Leiden thrombophilia depends on the genetic status of each of our parents. Most people with factor V Leiden thrombophilia have one “normal” F5 gene and one with the factor V Leiden gene mutation. People with one copy of the mutation are called heterozygotes.

What is the Leiden gene mutation?

This gene plays a role in how your body forms blood clots after an injury. People can inherit one or two copies of the factor V Leiden gene mutation. This condition should not be confused with Factor V deficiency, an inherited bleeding disorder that can cause excessive bleeding following surgery or trauma.