Bleeding Disorders

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

Your blood carries nutrients and hormones to your cells and carries waste away. A bleeding disorder such as hemophilia prevents normal clotting, while a clotting disorder causes clots to block the flow of blood through your body. 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 bleeding disorders and clotting disorders, including complex and rare conditions.

Hemophilia Clotting Disorders

Bleeding 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 bleeding disorders

• Hemophilia: A rare bleeding disorder in which the blood does not clot properly due to not having enough “clotting factors” (blood-clotting proteins), classically Factors VIII and IX.
• Von Willebrand Disease (types I, II, & III): This is the most common bleeding disorder throughout the world, which affects men and women equally.
• Other factor disorders (factor V, Factor VII, etc.)
• Other platelet disorders
• Other inherited or acquired blood or vascular disorders

Risk factors for bleeding disorders

Signs and symptoms of bleeding disorders

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

• Easy bruising
• Heavy bleeding from small cuts or dental work
• Unexplained nosebleeds
• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Bleeding into joints that causes swelling or pain
• Excessive bleeding after surgery or delivery
• Bleeding gums

Diagnosing a bleeding disorder

There are several types of blood tests used to diagnose a bleeding 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 bleeding disorder therapy

Bleeding disorder therapy can replace the clotting factor that is missing or low in your body. Treatment options may include:

• Replacement therapy: This replaces the clotting factor that is missing or low in your body (typically Factor VIII or IX).
• Non-factor therapy: This aims to stop the bleeding (hemostasis) without directly replacing the missing clotting factors.
• Bypassing agents: These agents may be used in hemophilia patients with inhibitors (neutralizing antibodies that can prevent factor replacement therapy from working).
• Gene therapy: An infusion treatment where new working genes are introduced into a person’s cells to replace the defective gene or provide a missing protein to fight disease, producing factors VIII and IX.
• Medications: Used to reduce bleeding.
• Immunotherapy: May be used in patients with inhibitors.