Protein C Deficiency

Question: Protein C Deficiency and Miscarriage? Hi there, I have just been told that I have low Protein C levels indicating a deficiency. I have had this testing done due to 2 miscarriages in the past 6 months. Is there anyone else out there with this inherited disorder and how did your doctor treat you for this? I am now waiting to see a hematologist but it is a 3 month wait :( Any info would be much apprecaited. Protein C deficiency is a inherited hypercoagulability syndrome (Blood Clotting Disorder)

Answer: You will need to take anticoagulation med/shots (heparin) during pregnancy and be closely monitored since it is a high-risk pregnancy. I am not sure how hematologist handle it usually if not pregnant. Though my wife didnt have Protein C Deficiency, she was taking baby aspirin to minimize risk of clotting around the placenta as a precaution (which is a major issue if Protein C deficient). Good luck.

Question: Protein C Deficiency and Pregnancy? I have had 3 miscarriages two of them this year within a 3 month time span. I finally got in and got tested and they told me that I have a Protein C Deficiency and I was wondering if you could tell me your experience of being pregnant with this. Did you have injections if so how often and how long? Did the injections hurt? If you didn't have injections what did you have to take? And were your pregnancies successful after you were diagnosed? Thank you

Answer: I don't have Protein C but I have another clotting disorder- Factor V Leiden. I have had two pregnancies both had good results- because I have two healthy daughters. My condition was discovered when I was 26 weeks along with my first child in June of 06. A large DVT was discovered in my left thigh. I was in the hospital for a week. Then I had twice daily Lovenox injections until week 36. From week 36 to week 38 I was on twice daily Heparin injections and then they tried to induce me. It failed but I had a successful c-section. And then was put on warfarin for several months afterward. Then in August of 08 I discovered that I was pregnant again. I immediately went on Lovenox injection once a day. And after week 18 I had frequent sonograms (every 2 or 3 weeks) to check for clots in the placenta. I was then switched to Heparin again a week or so before my scheduled c-section. And now three weeks later I have another healthy baby girl (she is in my arms right now). I am lucky my husband gives me the injections. They tired to teach me in the hospital but I totally freaked out. He quickly learned how to give them without too much pain. But yes, they do hurt. Sometimes they don't hurt much at all, and then some times they hurt quit a bit. Just depends. But you do get used to it. But clearly it isn't fun, but they do work. If you have another questions for me- please feel free to email me and I will try to help you. I know this can be a rather difficult diagnosis to hear.

Question: New to forum Protein c deficiency? Hi everyone, I lost my little Angel on January 27th at 19 weeks. We have since found out that I have a protein c deficiency and that is most likely what caused his death. I have my first appointment with the Hematologist this Friday. I really don't know what to expect. I so desperately want to start trying to get pregnant again however my OB advised against it until I see the specialist. I think protein c deficiency is different than FVL but just kinda wondered if anyone else out the has PCD or knows anything about it. Thank you all for reading. Tracy

Answer: I'm sorry to hear about your loss. PCD makes you more likely to clot. The hematologist will likely go over past blood work and may order more. He/she may recommend extended or lifelong anti-coagulation. The downside in your case is that the most common oral anticoagulant is coumadin, which is usually contraindication in pregnant women. Be sure to talk to the hematologist about your desire to get pregnant. Best of luck.

Question: Wondering if there could be a connection between Protein C Deficiency and elevated Alk Phos? Sibling and mother just tested positive for Protein C Deficiency...Type II which is very rare.... I have been in the hospital before with a blood clot in my leg...so, I assume that I have it too....and will be getting tested. But, in all of my reading...medical reports...I have grown weary...as I don't understand most of the language...but I did see something about hepsin...which seems to link the two. My son....a few years back had lab tests that showed alk phos levels that were through the roof....way over 2000....and was retested......same results....and then the third time....a week or so later.....they fell into the normal range. I am now wondering...if there is any connection....as we have realized in our research that our grandmother must have had PCD as well...and died of a PE....just 5 days after being taken off of aspirin therapy. I wondered if the alk phos test could have been an indicator....and we missed it.....and should I get him tested as well? (sorry if tmi)

Answer: It seems like youve read a lot about it but the jargon and definitions have made the reading difficult. Alkaline phosphatase is an indicator of many conditions but i dont think it indicates a clotting problem. What makes people notice prtien c deficiency is the increased clotting that occurs. Alk pho indicates many things from a clogged hepatic duct to bone problems. It wouldnt hurt to get him tested on the basis of the family history alone, but to justify the test based on the alk phopspatase levels wouldnt be enough. The best indicator in your situation is the level of its frequency in your family, that alone should reaise your level of suspicion. I hope this helps and i hope he feels better.

Question: Anyone know about Protein C Deficiency & Protein S? I just found out that this is an inherited disease in my family and I'm not sure how serious this is and if I need to make a Dr appointment, or could it just wait until my next check up?

Answer: i have protein s & yes, you need a dr. if you would like to write , please let yahoo know & i will give you my e-mail thanks

Question: Can you take birth control if you have a Protein C or S deficiency?

Answer: During my last pregnancy (my daughter is 8 months old now) I found out I have Protein C deficiency. I have been taking birth control pills for the past 10 years prior to getting pregnant with her and haven't had any complications.

Question: my sister has protein c deficiency? and had to get a test done because she wants a baby. she said the consultant told her that most peoples blood results are at an average for this test 100 but hers was only 45, which meant the result was'nt bad, but she would have to have anti coagulants for the last three months of pregnancy and for six weeks after.... does anyone know what test she was talking about or what the results mean because she wanst very clear!!!!! thanks

Answer: A decreased protein C activity level is required to make the laboratory diagnosis of protein C deficiency. Normal functional protein C levels range from approximately 60-130% of the level of pooled plasma from 20 nonpregnant nonclotting individuals who are not taking medications known to affect the protein C level (ie, warfarin). Your sister had a level of 45% of normal functional protein C and this is how they have made the diagnosis. If you have protein C deficiency you are more likely to develop a DVT, particularly whilst you are pregnant. This is why she has to be on anticoagulants for the end of her pregnancy. Protein C deficiency can be aquired but it can also be inherited genetically. You may also have this problem, so it would be worth seeing a doctor about it.

Question: Can one's job (eg. seafaring) aggravate or cause Protein C deficiency? are all cases hereditary or is it posible that one's job/profession could aggravate such illness?

Answer: No it wouldn't cause it. You were born with Protein C Dificency. Protein C deficiency is an uncommon clotting disorder: approximately 1 per 700 people has inherited protein C deficiency. Since we all have 2 genes for every protein (one from mother and one from father), people can have 2 normal genes (healthy), one mutated protein S gene (heterozygous), or two mutated genes (homozygous). Individuals with protein C deficiency are typically heterozygous. Homozygous individuals have such a severe clotting problem, that they typically die immediately after birth because of clotting everywhere; this is termed " Purpura fulminans ". Protein C deficiency can be caused by more than 100 different mutations in the protein C gene. This makes genetic testing for the defect very difficult, time-consuming, and expensive; it is therefore not done in routine clinical practice. A few academic institutions with a special interest in protein C deficiency perform genetic testing for research purposes. In some people protein C deficiency is due to acquired (non-inherited) causes, and may be temporary.

Question: i have bad cramps, sharp pain, burning in my leg is that a cause of blood thinner or protein deficiency c & s?

Answer: Since you're on blood thinner and have protein deficiencies c & s, I think you should really see a doctor. I'm assuming that maybe you have a clot risk or have had one b/c of your medication and your deficiencies and if your blood has thickened up what you're feeling may not be cramps. They may be Deep Vein Thrombosis which is a blood clot in the deep veins of your leg. I would definitely get those checked out, however, if your INR is in a safe range it wouldn't seem like a DVT could develop. STill, get it checked out. DVT's suck and they require immediate medical attention because they can break or come loose and lodge in your lungs (pulmonary embolism). Please don't take this lightly. I would rather have something simple checked than let something serious go. Get it checked out and I hope everything works out for you.

Question: Protein Deficiency along with a beta blocker. Could this be harmful? I'm about to begin a beta blocker for SVT (Toprol). My mom suffers from protein c & s deficiencies and had a stroke at a young age. She has recently told me that it's hereditary and that there is a strong chance me or my sister may also have it. I'm going to speak with my doctor about this on Monday but I'm wondering if they could be bad when combined (a beta blocker and a protein deficiency).

Answer: I would think so. Beta Blockers can hinder the absorption of B12 and if you are protein deficient, you are already low on B12.