What is Factor V Deficiency
Factor V deficiency is a rare genetic condition that causes problems with the way your blood clots. This means that it is harder for your body to stop bleeding, especially after surgery or injury.
Factor V is a protein in the blood that helps your blood to clot (blood coagulation factor). If you have a factor V deficiency, your body does not produce enough of this protein, or the protein does not work the way it should.
Most cases of factor V deficiency are not severe.
What are the causes?
Factor V deficiency is almost always caused by a defective factor V gene passed down (inherited) from both parents. In rare cases, the body can develop an antibody that causes factor V deficiency. This can occur after certain medical procedures or after giving birth. It can also happen if you have an autoimmune disease or cancer.
What increases the risk?
You may be at higher risk for factor V deficiency if you have:
- A family history of the condition.
- A family history of bleeding disorders.
- An autoimmune disease.
- Certain cancers.
What are the signs or symptoms?
Most symptoms of factor V deficiency involve heavy or abnormal bleeding. They include:
- Abnormal bleeding after injury, surgery, or childbirth.
- Bleeding under the skin.
- Bleeding gums.
- Frequent nosebleeds.
- Bruising.
- Menstrual periods that are unusually long and heavy.
- Internal bleeding.
- Bleeding from the umbilical cord at birth.
How is this diagnosed?
Your health care provider may suspect factor V deficiency if you have symptoms of the condition as well as a family or personal history of bleeding problems. A physical exam will be done. Blood tests may also be done to help make a diagnosis. These tests may include:
- Factor assays. These tests are used to check the level of certain clotting factors and how well they work.
- Prothrombin time and partial prothrombin time. This test measures how long it takes your blood to clot.
- Inhibitor tests. These tests determine whether your body’s immune system affects clotting factors.
How is this treated?
Treatment for factor V deficiency may include the following:
- Blood transfusions of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) may be done if you have severe bleeding. This may also be done as a precaution whenever you have surgery.
- A nasal spray that raises factor levels (desmopressin) may be used before any medical procedures.
- Birth control pills may be used to control heavy menstrual bleeding.
Follow these instructions at home:
- Be extra careful to avoid injuries or accidents.
- Take medicines only as directed by your health care provider.
- Tell all of your health care providers that you have factor V deficiency, especially before having a medical or dental procedure.
- Wear a medical alert bracelet in case of emergency.
- Take steps at home to reduce the risk of bleeding, such as using a soft toothbrush and an electric razor.
- Include plenty of fiber in your diet to prevent constipation and reduce your risk for rectal bleeding.
- Do notuse enemas or rectal thermometers.
Contact a health care provider if:
- You have excessive or persistent bleeding.
- Your skin bruises very easily.
- Your menstrual periods are very heavy or last longer than normal.
Get help right away if:
You have unusual or severe blood loss.
