Factor V Leiden Mutation
Factor V Leiden is an inherited change in one of the proteins that control clotting. The change leaves the blood clotting more readily than it should. It is the most common inherited clotting tendency in people of European descent. Most carriers never have a clot.
It reaches reproductive care in two ways. Inherited clotting disorders sit among the causes a clinician considers in recurrent pregnancy loss. And suppressive medications carry a different risk for a carrier. In one case-control study, carriers taking a third-generation oral contraceptive faced close to 50 times the risk of a deep vein clot, compared with non-carriers taking no pill.1
The test is one blood test. Clinicians consider it when a woman or her family has a clotting history, not as a routine check.
Cited in this entry
- Bloemenkamp KW, Rosendaal FR, Helmerhorst FM, Büller HR, Vandenbroucke JP. Enhancement by factor V Leiden mutation of risk of deep-vein thrombosis associated with oral contraceptives containing a third-generation progestagen. Lancet (London, England). 1995. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7500751/
This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult an RRM clinician or healthcare provider for guidance specific to your situation.
