Blood Work Update

So I was tested for a ton of clotting disorders that are closely related to IUGR babies & Preeclampsia last month. I had to wait until I was 6 weeks post partum before she could even test me, so waiting the 6 weeks along with waiting for the results have been nerve racking.

(All the crazy things I was tested for)

I have done A LOT of research on the possible disorders and actually understand quite a few of the popular ones. I was hoping to test positive for one of them because then I know in the back of my head that it could have been a cause to our situation. Plus there are things that can be done prophylactically & therapeutically to help prevent such things happening again.

Not all the blood work is back, but one test did come back positive, one mutation of MTHFR.

It depends on which mutation you have -whether you have two copies of the mutation, or if it's just on one gene. If it's on one gene (heterozygous), it would be the kind that would be less likely to cause blood clotting or other problems. If it is on two copies (homozygous), it raises your potential for problems, such as blood clots and pregnancy problems. Ultimately, the MTHFR is a problem only if it affects your homocysteine levels (and sometimes those levels can change when pregnant), which is what would cause clotting problems. My homocysteine levels were normal, but they could have been elevated while I was pregnant. I guess we won't know until that time comes again.

MTHFR gene mutation is actually very common, occurring in half the population, it just depends on whether it increases your homocysteine levels. There are lots of women with some version of the mutation, and a lot of good outcomes when it is treated with Folgard or other supplementation, and sometimes baby aspirin if it's affecting homocysteine levels. My understanding is we are going to go ahead at treat our next pregnancy with Lovenox shots everyday, so that will be fun. But I will do EVERYTHING in my power to make it healthy next time. Mine is the one copy mutation which is fairly common. She also said my Factor VIII was slightly over the normal so she is going to look more into that.

The appointment was good, and I got the answers I was looking for. My Dr seems very positive about future pregnancies given what we know. She gave us a timeline on when we can try again, so that is exciting that it's when I was hoping to. She is sending me to see a new specialist an hour North of here and have a new Dr look at my case. My poor chart is SO THICK... he will have his work cut out for him.