Clotting disorder question

Yesterday was my first OB appointment and as the man was taking my detailed history he was looking over my chart that the RE faxed over. He mentioned some clotting disorders/issues I had and I was totally baffled. Apparently I was never told about the findings on my thrombophelia panel that I had one last August.

Now I called repeatedly last summer for these findings because I had just had my fourth miscarriage and was hoping something in this panel would point to why I kept losing my babies. I was told everything was 'within normal limits'. But from what I'm told by a friend nothing about my findings are normal.

They are:

Lupus anitcoagulant present (weak)
Protein C ACT = 150 (High)
MTHFR Mutation heterozygous A1298C

1) Should I have been informed about this?

2) Could this be why I had so many miscarriages?

3) What does this mean for this pregnancy (twins)? My OB has recommended I stay on baby aspirin until I deliver and he put me on extra folic acid

4) Could anyone point me in the right direction to get more information? I'd like to educate myself and I'm getting lost and confused on the internet.

Thank you!!

Re: Clotting disorder question

wow. from what i know (and i am NOT an expert) clotting disorders can sometimes account for multiple miscarriages... women with clotting disorders are often put on lovenox (heparin) injections for the duration of their pregnancy.

that's not to say that you have the kind of clotting disorder that would respond to heparin - i am NOT a doctor. but this is definitely something i would make an appointment with your RE to discuss.

Re: Clotting disorder question

mthfr is different from regular clotting disorders and there for heperin and lovanox is not needed I also have mthfr and as it was explained to me some people have elevated homocysteine levels caused by a deficiency of B vitamins and folate in their diets other than miscarriages or not getting pg at all (because your body cannot produce or process the faltate it needs to sustain a pg) it also causes a multitude of cardiac problems like hardening of the ateries which could lead to stroke or heart attack and blood clots It would be a good idea if you also see a hemotologist and see what they suggest

Re: Clotting disorder question

1) Should I have been informed about this?

Absolutely!!! This is your body, your health, your life, you should be told everything, even if its nothing.

2) Could this be why I had so many miscarriages?

I recently found out I have a clotting disorder, I really dont know much about it, but I do know that there are 2 diff types, and I am lucky enough to have both. I was told in the hospital that they normally do not even run the tests for such disorders unless you have a miscarriage, because a clotting disorder could cause one....the clotting disorder is genetic, and I also found out my mother had 7 miscarriages, and 1 stillbirth...at 21 years old, it took me just about a year to get pregnant, and I honestly think this is why

3) What does this mean for this pregnancy (twins)? My OB has recommended I stay on baby aspirin until I deliver and he put me on extra folic acid

I am on lovenox ( because like I said I have both disorders whatever that means, and I also had a clot) Otherwise they told me not to worry about anything, that baby was going to be just fine.

4) Could anyone point me in the right direction to get more information? I'd like to educate myself and I'm getting lost and confused on the internet.

Write down all of your questions and make an appointment to see a specialist. They will be able to answer all of your questions, and it will make you feel a lot better

Message edited 3/14/2008 4:46:34 PM.

Re: Clotting disorder question

Message edited 3/14/2008 8:11:36 PM.