Diagnosis: Tests

If the patient describes typical symptoms associated with coagulation disorders to the doctor, various tests can be arranged. In any case, blood must be taken and examined. The number of platelets (thrombocytes) in the blood can then be determined.

This is a standard value that is routinely checked every time a blood sample is taken. Often a blood clotting disorder is only detected by chance during a routine blood test. In addition to the determination of the blood platelets, special coagulation tests can also be carried out.

In this context, the INR value, the PTT and the PTZ time are determined, which ultimately corresponds to the coagulation time as far as possible. These tests are also carried out as standard before operations or other procedures. If deviations occur, this is a first indication of a blood coagulation disorder, but the exact cause cannot yet be clearly assigned due to a conspicuous value.

The cause can already be narrowed down, depending on which value is elevated. In order to determine exactly which coagulation factor is deficient or whether there is a functional disorder of the blood platelets, further blood tests must be carried out in a specialised coagulation laboratory. In addition, a genetic test must be carried out to draw conclusions about a congenital disease. Sometimes a bone marrow puncture may also be necessary if the doctor suspects that the formation of platelets in the bone marrow is disturbed. This can occur, for example, in the context of leukaemia, a blood cancer.

Desire for children with blood clotting disorders

An existing blood coagulation disorder in the sense of an increased risk of thrombosis increases the risk of miscarriage in the first trimester of pregnancy. This is particularly the case if the blood clotting disorder is undetected and therefore not treated. Even under normal conditions the risk of thrombosis is increased due to the hormonal changes during pregnancy.

If there is also a blood-clotting disorder, the probability of small blood clots forming within the blood vessels of the placenta is even higher. The clots mean that the embryo cannot be fed properly and a miscarriage will occur. If a woman has already miscarried two or three times, a blood clotting disorder is present in about a quarter of the cases.

This is often a factor V Leiden mutation. If a blood clotting disorder is already known beforehand, thrombosis prophylaxis can be taken. For pregnant women, for example, heparin is suitable, which must be injected daily. Marcumar, which is otherwise readily prescribed, must not be taken by pregnant women because the active substance can be transferred to the child via the placenta and can lead to malformations. Sufficient exercise and wearing compression stockings naturally reduces the risk of thrombosis.