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How to manage elevated factor 8 Leiden?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I am a female with elevated factor 8 Leiden. My mother and aunt (from different fathers) are also positive. I had major heavy periods with many clots. I also had two blood transfusions after my son after huge clots came out followed by a vast amount of blood. I am overweight and have cramps in my legs. Cramp legs become painful if I sit for long periods. Should I be on anticoagulants? What should I do daily? I do not have time to exercise with seven children and a stay-at-home single mom.

Thanks.

Answered by Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern.

Can you attach the reports? It would help in giving further comment. Hysterectomy or endometriosis not related to increased factor 8. Do you have any thrombosis attacks in the past or present?

I hope this information will help you.

Thanks.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thanks for the reply.

I have no reports to show, unfortunately. The blood doctor I went to see did not give me anything, and I frankly never asked. He tested for VW and every other bleeding and clotting disorder, and everything else was fine. Only factor 8 was elevated, and he did not say slightly or majorly elevated, just elevated, and then I left. I have never had any thrombosis that I know of other than after having my second C-section, where I had massive clots come out about three hours after delivery, followed by two pints of blood. But the way my legs cramp and become painful when they are in the same position for too long scares me.

I also have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and my joints are flexible, and I have major problems with scar tissue. I have had to have scar tissue removals from the C-sections after steroid injections did not eat the scar tissue that formed. I also have had basal cell carcinoma skin cancer removal and a ton of other surgeries, but nothing blood-related.

Thanks.

Answered by Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern.

Basal cell carcinoma usually does not spread in the body and does not metastasize. So do not worry about basal cell carcinoma if removed. For your leg cramp and swelling, you have to rule out deep vein thrombosis by color Doppler. If thrombosis is detected, then you have to start anticoagulant medications. You have mentioned that your factor 8 is elevated and other reports are normal. So in case of elevated factor 8, thrombosis risk is always there. The Leiden term is used for factor 5 mutation.

So I want to check the report, as Leiden mutation and factor 8 elevation are two different terminologies. But if you have elevated factor 8, then chances of thrombosis are present, and you might need to start anticoagulant medication. You can discuss all these with the treating doctor.

If you feel that your doctor is not replying to your questions properly and his behavior is not good, then you can change the doctor.

You need to consult a good hematologist and get investigated again with factor 8. If elevated, then anticoagulant medication should be started, in my opinion.

I hope this information will help you.

Thanks.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thanks for the reply.

Now that you mention the Leiden part, my mother has the Leiden part, and my factor 5 was normal. So I have the elevated factor 8. So I should start anticoagulants. I will start researching good hematologists near me.

Thanks.

Answered by Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern.

You have to repeat your factor 8 level determination testing just to confirm that it is elevated and the previous test result was not a false positive. Color Doppler USG (ultrasonography) of the leg also needs to be done to check for deep vein thrombosis. If factor 8 is persistently elevated, then anticoagulant medication always needs to be started to prevent any attack of thrombosis. However, for your detailed evaluation and for getting a prescription, you can consult a nearby hematologist.

I hope this information will help you.

Thanks.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

Answered by Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri

Hi doctor,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern.

You can ask questions in future if needed. Wish you healthy life ahead.

I hope this information will help you.

Thanks.

Answered byDr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri

Medically reviewed byiCliniq medical review team

Published At September 13, 2025
Reviewed AtSeptember 16, 2025

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri
Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri

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