Thrombophilia

Most people do not realise they have thrombophilia until it causes a blood clot.

Symptoms of a blood clot can include:

• throbbing pain and swelling in your legs and arms (deep vein thrombosis)
• sudden breathing difficulties, chest pain and coughing up blood (pulmonary embolism)

Having repeated miscarriages can also be a symptom of thrombophilia.

• have throbbing or cramping pain in 1 leg, usually in the calf or thigh
• get swelling in 1 leg
• have red, darkened or warm skin on your leg
• suddenly have difficulty breathing
• are coughing up blood

These could be the symptoms of a blood clot in your leg or your lungs.

You may get pain and swelling in your arm or tummy instead if that's where the blood clot is.

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online .

• you have severe difficulty breathing
• you feel pain in your chest or upper back
• your heart is beating very fast
• someone has passed out

These could be signs of a pulmonary embolism or another serious condition.

Find your nearest A&E

Do not drive yourself to A&E.

The person you speak to at 999 will give you advice about what to do.

There are 2 types of thrombophilia, which have different causes.

If you have inherited thrombophilia, there is a chance you could pass the condition to any children you have. Your doctor can tell you more.

You may be offered a blood test for thrombophilia if:

• you had a blood clot and it’s not obvious why you had it (for example, you’re not overweight and do not smoke)
• a close family member (parent, brother or sister) has inherited thrombophilia
• you’ve had 3 or more miscarriages

Blood tests can check for altered genes or changes in your blood cells linked to thrombophilia.

You may be offered ultrasound scans or CT scans to see if there are any problems with your blood vessels.

There is currently no cure for thrombophilia that’s caused by altered genes you inherit from your parents (inherited thrombophilia).

Thrombophilia that starts later in life (acquired thrombophilia) can sometimes get better if the underlying cause is treated.

If your doctor thinks your overall risk of a blood clot is low, you may not need any treatment.

If you need treatment, you’ll usually be offered anticoagulant medicine. It works by making your blood less sticky so it’s less likely to clot.

For many people, thrombophilia does not have a big impact on their life. But there are things you can do to reduce the risk of getting blood clots.

• stay active

• try to lose weight if you're overweight

• drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration – you're more likely to get a clot if you're dehydrated

• wear flight stockings or flight socks to improve your blood flow on long flights – a pharmacist can advise you about this

• do not smoke

• do not drink lots of alcohol – this can make you dehydrated

• do not sit for long periods without moving, if you can avoid it

Tell your doctor or healthcare professional that you have thrombophilia before having any medical procedures or starting any new prescription medicines (including contraception).

Some medicines may not be safe for you, and you may need extra treatment or monitoring when you have medical procedures.

If thrombophilia causes a blood clot, symptoms can include throbbing pain in the legs or arms, or sudden breathing difficulties and chest pain.

The main test for thrombophilia is a blood test. You may also have CT scans and ultrasound scans.

Thrombophilia is treated with a type of medicine called an anticoagulant medicine. These help prevent blood clots.

If you have thrombophilia, things you can do to reduce your risk of blood clots include staying active and maintaining a healthy weight.