Clotting Disorders

We offer the most advanced, personalized treatment available for clotting disorders, so you can live an active life.

Your blood carries nutrients and hormones to your cells and carries waste away. A clotting disorder causes clots to form in a blood vessel (also known as thrombosis) and block the flow of blood through your body, while a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia prevents normal clotting. When your blood doesn’t clot properly, it can cause several issues, including superficial bruising or deep bleeding. Our hematologists treat a wide range of clotting disorders and bleeding disorders, including complex and rare conditions.

Bleeding Disorders

Clotting disorders and cancer treatment

Treatment for all blood disorders at Henry Ford Health is coordinated through an integrated team of hematologists and oncologists, who also treat cancer.

Types of clotting disorders

• Genetic conditions: Including Factor V Leiden and Factor II/Prothrombin gene mutation (G20210A).
• Deficiencies and dysfunctional proteins: Protein C & Protein S deficiency, antithrombin III deficiency and dysfibrinogenemia.
• Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome: Anticardiolipin antibodies, lupus anticoagulant.
• Cancer-associated thrombosis: The forming of a blood clot due to active cancer.

Risk factors for clotting disorders

Symptoms of clotting disorders

The symptoms may vary depending on the specific type of clotting disorder. However, you should see a doctor immediately if you experience any of the following:

• Swelling in a leg or arm
• Leg or arm is warm to the touch
• Leg pain described as a cramp or charley horse
• Reddish or bluish skin discoloration

Clotting disorders that block the flow of blood through the body can also lead to related conditions such as a deep vein thrombosis (blood clot in the leg) or a pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs). Depending on how advanced these conditions are, they can cause additional symptoms such as shortness of breath, and potentially life-threatening complications such as heart attack and stroke.

Diagnosing a clotting disorder

There are several types of blood tests used to diagnose a clotting disorder. These may include:

• Complete blood count test: Measures the amount of red and white blood cells in your body.
• Prothrombin and partial thromboplastin time tests: Measures how long it takes for blood to clot.
• Platelet function assay: Measures how fast small blood vessels in the skin stop bleeding.
• Platelet aggregation test: Measures how well the platelets in your blood clump together at the site of an injury.
• Von Willebrand screening

Personalized treatment plan

Because each person’s condition is unique, we evaluate your condition and determine the best treatment plan for you. Your treatment plan is based on many factors, such as your family history, overall health, and the severity of your bleeding disorder. We work in partnership with you to create a treatment plan that improves your quality of life while meeting your medical, social and physical needs.

Types of clotting disorder therapy

We offer several therapies to treat clotting disorders, including:

• Blood thinners, or anticoagulants: This is the best practice treatment option for clotting disorders such as thrombosis. The most common are heparin and low molecular weight heparin, both of which are given by injection under the skin or into a vein. A third anticoagulant called warfarin is given as a pill.
• Newer anticoagulant pills: These are effective for patients with different kinds of clotting disorders. Unlike warfarin, they do not require blood testing.
• Antiplatelet medicine: This helps to prevent clots from forming and growing.