Thrombophilia Testing in Pregnancy

Updated on July 02, 2011
V.S. asks from Lima, OH
6 answers

I am 32 weeks pregnant with my 3rd. My OBGYN referred me to a hospital about 1 1/2 hours north of us because they have a neonatal 3 care nursery, whereas my current hospital I would deliver at only has a neonatal 1. I was diagnosed with mild preeclampsia, then to severe preeclampsia and now back to mild due to my protein count lowering due to probably bed rest. While I was there, they did an ultrasound (baby is measuring 2 weeks ahead of schedule and is 5lbs 2oz) and I spoke with the doctor. I am supposed to get this Thrombophilia Testing labs done and I believe this is for blood clotting disorders. My family doesn't have a history of blood clots and the only thing I do have is bad varicose veins. I'm getting a little worried now, even though it's probably more precautionary than anything, that it may be something more serious they aren't telling me. I was checked for DVT since I had bad varicose veins, but my current OBGYN said it was just really bad varicose veins and nothing to worry about. Basically I had to just deal with them until after I delivered. They were never concerned with clotting.

Here are the tests that I need to have done:
AntiCardiolipin Ab (APA)
Antithrombin III, Functional (AT3A)
Antithrombin III, Antigenic(AAT3AG)
Factor V Leiden (F5MUT)
Homocysteine (HOCYS)
Lupus Anticoagulant (LUPPRO)
MTHFR Mutations 677 & 1298 (MTHFR)
Prothrombin Gene Mutation (FTMUT)

Does anybody here know anything about these? I think I'm freaking myself out more than I need to, but it would put my mind at east since the doctor won't get the results until Tuesday due to the July 4th holiday.

Thanks!

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D.T.

answers from Cincinnati on

I am familiar with several of these As I have an auto immune disease -Antiphospholipid Syndrome with both Lupus anticoagulant and the APA antibodies. My mother has hyper homocystieinemia (sp) All of these tests are for various clotting disorders. Very good for your MD for running these tests.. Thiugh there is no cure for any of these rhat I am aware of, there is treatment.

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R.C.

answers from Phoenix on

Your Dr is right. He or she is just being extra careful and trying to get an idea of your risk for blood clots. Varicose veins without a positive for any of these labs do not greatly increase your risk for blood clots. I've had all these done because my mother has had blood clots in her legs diagnosed twice in her life and I also have varicose veins. Thankfully, all were negative and my pregnancies were healthy. Best wishes for a healthy term delivery. So glad your protein levels are decreasing. Take care. Nurse midwife mom of 3

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L.G.

answers from Detroit on

My sister had her placenta tested after delivering her twins early, and she tested positive for Factor V Leiden and MTHFR. It is unknown whether this caused her to deliver early, however, she did have another full term baby after this with no incident. Probably just a precaution...trying to exhaust every possibility...good doctor!

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L.L.

answers from Orlando on

I was just tested for the same types of things as well. Nine months after having my baby, because I needed to be sure if I had or was at risk for blood clots. I tested negative for all the major clotting problems but came up positive with the MTHFR mutation. Apparently you have two pairs of the gene and if you have a mutation, mine is mutated on both pairs, then you can be at risk for blood clots. Please look it up as I am going on memory for the details. But if you have the mutation then your body doesn't break down folic acid like it should. This will in turn raise your homocysteine levels. All of this can increase your risk for clots which also leads to strokes. So..... My doctor has me taking Deplin, which contains the already broken down form of folic acid. And because I am taking a birth control pill, which itself increases your chance of clots, I am taking a baby aspirin a day as a blood thinner.

I wouldn't worry too much. It seems they are just being cautious. It was kind of a bummer to know that at thirty I already had pills I know have to take daily for the rest of my life. But if it's something I can do to prevent worse things later on, I'm ok with it.

Best wishes to you and congrats on the new little one arriving soon.

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K.N.

answers from Cleveland on

I have the MTFR mutation. They tested me after my second miscarriage. I am on folic acid as well as baby aspirin, but have since had a healthy full term little boy and am 8 weeks pregnant. In the big scheme of things it's not a big deal. I'll take a folic acid supplement for the rest of my life and may need the aspirin as well, but that's about it.

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D.G.

answers from Houston on

It sounds like your OB is being pro-active (switching you to a level III nicu and testing you for thrombophilias which can be treated to lower your risks). I would much rather an OB who checks/plans for every contigency.

I myself had the tests run as a precaution during my second pregnancy when my blood pressure started acting up (after having had preeclampsia in my first pregnancy). The test results came back normal though I did go on to develop pre-e again.

Odds are your results will probably be normal as well since you don't have a history of blood clots (including in past pregnancies). And your baby sounds large for gestational age and blood clotting problems tend to be more associated with small for gestational age infants.

Sorry you are dealing with preeclampsia (&bedrest!). I have found the preeclampsia foundation (www.preeclampsia.org) a great source of information and support. Good luck!

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