Prothrombin G20210A Mutation
The prothrombin G20210A mutation is an inherited change in the gene for prothrombin, a clotting protein. The change leaves more of the protein in the blood, and the balance tips toward clotting. It is the second most common inherited clotting tendency, after factor V Leiden. Most carriers never have a clot.
It appears on the inherited clotting panels used after repeated pregnancy loss or an unexplained clot. A carrier result does not explain a loss by itself.
Carrier status also changes the arithmetic of suppressive medications, which raise clot risk on their own. A 2018 review of 15 observational studies in healthy women linked hormonal contraception to three to nine times the risk of clots in the veins.1
Cited in this entry
- Keenan L, Kerr T, Duane M, Van Gundy K. Systematic Review of Hormonal Contraception and Risk of Venous Thrombosis. The Linacre Quarterly. 2018. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32431379/
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.
