Symptoms
Many people with the vWD gene have very mild symptoms or none at all. When symptoms do occur, the severity varies from person-to-person. Many people only notice symptoms after taking aspirin or similar medications that interfere with clotting. Symptoms usually begin in childhood and fluctuate throughout life. Common symptoms include:
- Easy bruising
- Frequent or prolonged nosebleeds
- Prolonged bleeding from the gums and minor cuts
- Heavy or prolonged bleeding during menstrual periods
- Bleeding in the digestive system
- Prolonged bleeding after injury, childbirth, surgery, or invasive dental procedures
Diagnosis
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. Blood tests may be done to check the following:
- Bleeding time—In vWD it will be prolonged, particularly after the administration of aspirin.
- Factor VIII antigen—This indirectly measures levels of vWF in your blood; in vWD, it will be reduced.
- Ristocetin cofactor activity—This shows how well your vWF works; in vWD, it will be decreased.
- von Willebrand factor multimer—This examines the different structural types of vWF in the blood; in vWD, it will be reduced.
Improved
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