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What is factor V Leiden mutation?
All individuals make a protein called factor V that helps blood clot. However, there are certain individuals who have a DNA mutation in the gene used to make the factor V protein. These individuals are said to have the "factor V Leiden" mutation. The mutation was named after a city called Leiden, where research on the first family found to have the mutation was performed. Individuals with the factor V Leiden mutation have inherited a greater chance to form a blood clot. Factor V Leiden mutation is a very common blood clotting disorder in the general population. The chances of a person having a blood clot increase when you have one factor V Leiden mutation and the chances increase even more if you have two mutations. A person with one mutation is called hetrozygous and a person with two is called homozygous. Approximately 2-7% of the Caucasion population are hetrozygous and approximately 0.1% are homozygous. Caucasions have the highest incident of factor V Leiden mutation and Asians have the lowest incidence. A large percentage of people with factor V Leiden mutation never know they have it and can go their whole life without experiencing a blood clot. There are several risk factors that can increase everyone's chances of having a blood clot even if they do not have the factor V leiden mutation. These risk factors are even more prevalant in people with factor V Leiden mutation.
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