I am heterozygous FVL (one gene and the lower risk). My mother's doctor suggested I get tested 4 years ago. I was being treat by a GYN for excessive uterine bleeding with a 3rd generation BCP. He flipped out when I asked him to run the test, he never said why. When the results came back, his only comment was don't take BCPs ever again. I found out these BCPs increased my risk 39 fold. In simple terms my risk when from 1 in 122,000 to 1 in 250, not good odds.
While this increases my chance of a clot, it is the fact that my maternal grandmother, mother and maternal aunt have all clotted that increases my risk factor more than the FVL. I have had my children tested (very controversal at this time), both are heterozygous (one gene). I am protecting them by teaching the signs of a clot and the importance of exercise and staying hydrated.
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Thank you for writing about this.
I am heterozygous FVL (one gene and the lower risk). My mother's doctor suggested I get tested 4 years ago. I was being treat by a GYN for excessive uterine bleeding with a 3rd generation BCP. He flipped out when I asked him to run the test, he never said why. When the results came back, his only comment was don't take BCPs ever again. I found out these BCPs increased my risk 39 fold. In simple terms my risk when from 1 in 122,000 to 1 in 250, not good odds.
While this increases my chance of a clot, it is the fact that my maternal grandmother, mother and maternal aunt have all clotted that increases my risk factor more than the FVL. I have had my children tested (very controversal at this time), both are heterozygous (one gene). I am protecting them by teaching the signs of a clot and the importance of exercise and staying hydrated.
October 11, 2009 - 7:27pmThis Comment
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