Hey everybody,
My Granny went to the doc on Friday and was admitted to the hospital with an 8 in. blood clot in her thigh that extended into her abdomen. It is not DVT, doctor says it's superficial as he can see it. The therapy for shrinking it has worked and many tests have been done. Some the doc said won't come back for two weeks. He did say however, that depending on the outcome of the tests, family members may need to be tested. What does this mean? What is he testing for? I have done some research and have come up with APS, Lupus, and maybe Raynaud's. I just don't know. I do know he did an ANA test, but not sure what else he did. I am assuming he is thinking autoimmune of some kind. I have already had an autimmune disease of the thyroid so am hoping there is not another that runs in the family.
She does have vericose veins, as did her Mom, and has had clots before but they were always in her calf and no higher. She had an infection of some kind in her leg last october and even with antibiotics, she hasn't really felt right since. She is very healthy and active otherwise. She has taken care of herself better than most people I know, and is still relatively young at 75.
Any insight is appreciated,
Thanks,
Nodi

The first thing you should do is contact the doctor and ask what tests he is running and what condition he is trying to identify. In the meantime, relax. There are various blood conditions that can run in families, that are not necessarily a cause for panic. Is your grandma the first in the family to have a problem with clotting, or have there been others? In my family, we have a clotting disorder called Anti-thrombin 3 Deficiency. It began with my mother and her siblings and has affected some, but not all, of their children... me included. Because we are deficient in this particular clotting factor, we are much more at risk for developing clots. The conditions is detected through blood testing. Those of us with the disorder are placed on Coumadin, a blood thinning medicine. I have been on Coumadin since I was 16. I am now 48. Regular blood tests to keep my medication regulated is all that's required. I haven't had an incident of clotting for many years. Hope your grandma continues to improve and you get your answers. Let us know what you find out.

Thanks,
Yes I am farly relaxed, just looking for some answers. Her Mother had a problem with vericose veins and clots. She actually died from a clot that caused a stroke, if I'm not mistaken. I'm sure no matter what the issue is, blood thinners will be the treatment. So not so bad. I just have had to go to so many doctors that last four years that I was hoping maybe I wouldn't have any worries for awhile. I inherited Hashimoto's from her side of the family, her great Aunt had it, or so we think as she had a goiter that was huge. I think my Aunt may have it to but has only been diagnosed with Hypothyroidism. Don't know if she's had the antibodies test. I actually had to have my thyroid removed, due to it enlarging. I just had an ovary removed in January due to a benign tumor, so I am ready for everyone to be healthy! I will not stress out though, I'm sure it will all work out for the best.
My Aunt talked to the doctor and the only acutual test they told her about was the ANA. I don't know if they have told my Grandma or not, as she won't say what they are testing for. I think she is just hoping that if she doesn't acknowledge it, that it will go away. Something she just does. The waiting for the tests is the hardest part, I am way too familiar with all that. But atleast the history with all my problems is that it has been the best diagnosis. Nothing life threatening.
When I hear anything about Granny, I'll post.
Thanks again,
Nodi

Well,
All of her tests came back tip top.
So I guess she just has thick blood for no reason.
Or is it caused by her vericose veins? I don't know.
She is on coumadin and has been feeling better than she has felt in a very long time. I think she may have more energy than I do:)
So no matter what is causing it, I'm just glad she's feeling better.
Later,
Nodi

Our family blood condition is a fairly rare one and took several years to identify. If there is something like that present in your family, could be that they're just not looking in the right direction yet. On the other hand, I suppose the vericose veins could have something to do with it, too. Who knows. For now, all that matters is that she is recovering and feeling well. That's great news! Hope you both have many years of good health ahead.