Bleeding and Clotting Disorders

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

Bleeding and clotting disorders are as unique as you are. We treat a wide range of conditions, including complex and rare disorders. Many are inherited from parents or acquired from another medical issue.

Bleeding and clotting disorders and cancer treatment

Many blood disorders are either cancerous or pre-cancerous. Even when a condition is not cancerous, it may be treated with some of the same medical oncology therapies used to treat cancer. For this reason, all treatment for bleeding and clotting disorders at Henry Ford Health is coordinated through an integrated team of hematologists (specialists who focus on disorders that affect the blood and related structures) and oncologists, who treat cancer.

Bleeding disorders

The study of why blood fails to clot in a normal fashion, which can manifest with superficial bruising or deep bleeding. Conditions include:

• Hemophilia: A rare bleeding disorder in which the blood does not clot properly due to not having enough clotting factors, classically Factors VIII and IX.
• Other factor & Protein deficiencies: Including Factors I, II, V, VII, X, XI and XIII, and PAI1.
• Platelet disorders: Including von Willebrand’s disease (the most common inherited bleeding disorder in the U.S.), storage pool disease, Glanzmann thrombasthenia, Bernard-Soulier syndrome and other inherited and acquired platelet disorders.
   

Clotting disorders

For the management of blood clots in an artery or vein in the form of superficial or deep vein thrombosis that blocks the flow of blood through the body, or a pulmonary embolism, which is a blood clot in the lungs. Conditions include:

• 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 bleeding or clotting disorders

• Family history
• Aging
• Autoimmune disorders
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Hormone replacement therapy
• Infection
• Inflammation
• Obesity
• Pregnancy
• Surgery

Symptoms

The symptoms may vary depending on the specific type of bleeding disorder or 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
• Excessive bruising
• Excessive bleeding from small cuts or minor injuries
• Unexplained nosebleeds
• Leg pain described as a cramp or charley horse
• Reddish or bluish skin discoloration

Diagnosis

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

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

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 or clotting 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. We also specialize in managing any pain caused by your condition.

Treatment for your bleeding disorder

Your personalized treatment plan may include:

• Replacement therapy: The best practice treatment option for bleeding disorders such as hemophilia and von Willebrand disease. The treatment works by taking concentrations created from proteins or made from human blood and injecting them into a vein. This replaces the clotting factor that is low or missing in your body.
• Immunosuppressant therapy or porcine factor therapy: For patients with acquired hemophilia.
• Medications: Given in pill form or injected into a vein.
• Topical medications: Including thrombin gel or fibrin glue applied directly to the affected area on or in the body.

Treatment for your clotting disorder

Your personalized treatment plan may include:

• 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, it does not require blood testing.
• Antiplatelet medicine: This helps to prevent clots from forming and growing.