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And the saga continues...

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Halifaxmum | 16:36 Thu 17th Mar 2011 | Health & Fitness
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I received a letter today from the blood tests I had last November. The consultant now says he thinks it is unlikely I have von Willbrands, but I do have a low factor 8 level.

He doesn't explain what this means, so can anyone enlighten me. I've googled it, but it's far too medically-worded for me to understand!

TIA as always x
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This is common or garden, bog standard Haemophilia an absence or deficiency of factor 8, one of the clotting factors necessary for blood to clot.

This is one for Lazygun..............send him a fao Lazygun.
Look one post up from here....I have asked Lazygun for his opinion.
If a mere haematologist will do Sqad..

I may have missed some of the saga but a low Factor VIII level can have a few causes both congenital and acquired.There is really not enough information to go on, so more questions than answers, I'm afraid.

What was the specialty of the consultant writing the letter haematologist? gynaecologist?
Did he give the Factor VIII level/results of any other tests?
Did he say whether more tests or referral to a Haemophilia Centre were planned?
slaney

<<<<If a mere haematologist will do Sqad.. <<<<
;-) c´mom.....you don´t fool me with the "mere" adjective....;-) I have know too may of them.

The report was written by a Haematologist.
The clotting factor levels were not given.
No he didnt say whether more were planned.

However this lady has severe menorrhagia and the surgeon will not operate until the blood problem is solved.
She was deemed to have "mild Von Willibrand´s" but this has "bitten the dust! and has been replaced by Factor 8 deficiency which to me is Haemophilia, not common in woman.
I know of Factor 8 deficiency with menorrhagia but for some reason isnt described as Haemophilia.
I think that it may be academic as to whether it is acquired or congenital, but what our poster wants to know, and me, is if she needs a hysterectomy, what blood supplements will she need before, during and after the proceedure.

Any help would be invaluable.
Low Factor VIII can be found in some types of Von Villebrands Disease as well., but this seems to have been ruled out.

Sorry Sqad, there is just not enough information to go on to make any comment.
My own instinct would be to refer on to a Haemophilia Centre prior to any surgery - but it could be that they have already been consulted.

As always, the best thing is to ask those in possession of all the facts - Perhaps Halifaxmum could ring the consultant's secretary, explain her confusion and ask to have a word with him to clarify matters.
She could also ring her own GP to interpret the letter as he or she will have had a copy.
Thanks slaney.......good advice..........it is confusing.
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Thank you to slaney and sqad - helpful and reliable as ever :-)

The letter just says "a diagnosis of vW is unlikely however the blood test showed a reduced factor 8 level". He then asks me to have it checked again.He is a consultant haemotologist at Bradford Royal Infirmary who I went to because the consultant gynae at Calderdale Royal refused to do the hysterectomy as he thought I had vW.

and breathe...lol

Sqad - how do I do the fao to Lazygun please?
Halifax.....I have done it for you......look above this thread.

I am not sure that Lazygun will have much more to offer as slaney has summed it up.
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Thanks again sqad!
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Just looking for a bit of advice - i'm pig sick of going back to the GP for blood tests for this that and the other - to be honest, i can't be bothered anymore - i need the hysterectomy because it is ruining my life, but these so-called specialists/consultants don't seem to know their arses from their elbows.

The consultant gynae made it clear he won't do the hysterectomy. So what is the point of going back for blood tests that take months for the results to come through? They say you might have vW so we're not going to do the op - have the mirena instead - well no thank you! Even if I do go back for the factor 8 test, he still won't do the op - thanks a lot! i bet if he was a woman with bad periods it'd be different.

Moan over.
Halifaxmum, I can understand your frustration; it has taken an unacceptably long time for the results to come back - Factor VIII levels can be available within a day.
I think you should have the tests repeated as the levels may be normal the next time - the normal range is very wide for this particular test.

I also think you should visit your GP to explain how unhappy you are with the delays, and ask whether he or she has more information on the Haematologist's thoughts on the diagnosis, and whether referral to a Haemophila Centre has been considered.
Even if it is eventually found that you do have a bleeding disorder, in most cases essential surgery can be carried out with the appropriate blood product/drug cover.
Perhaps you could ask your GP to write or phone asking these questions on your behalf. It's a GP's job to act as your advocate.

Good luck!

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