Locations Main Campus: Chesterfield, MO 63017   |   Locations
314-434-1500 314-434-1500   |   Contact Us

Multimedia Encyclopedia


 
E-mail Form
Email Results

 
 
Print-Friendly
Bookmarks
bookmarks-menu

Factor XII (Hageman factor) deficiency

 

Factor XII deficiency is an inherited disorder that affects a protein (factor XII) involved in blood clotting.

Causes

When you bleed, a series of reactions take place in the body that helps blood clots form. This process is called the coagulation cascade. It involves special proteins called coagulation, or clotting, factors. You may have a higher chance of excess bleeding if one or more of these factors are missing or are not functioning like they should.

Factor XII is one such factor. A lack of this factor does not cause you to bleed abnormally. But, the blood takes longer than normal to clot in a test tube.

Factor XII deficiency is a rare inherited disorder.

Symptoms

 

There are usually no symptoms.

 

Exams and Tests

 

Factor XII deficiency is most often found when clotting tests are done for routine screening.

Tests may include:

  • Factor XII assay
  • Partial thromboplastin time ( PTT )
  • Mixing study

 

Treatment

 

Treatment is usually not needed.

 

Outlook (Prognosis)

 

The outcome is expected to be good without treatment.

 

Possible Complications

 

There are usually no complications.

 

When to Contact a Medical Professional

 

The health care provider usually discovers this condition when running other lab tests.

 

Prevention

 

This is an inherited disorder. There is no known way to prevent it.

 

 

References

Gailani D, Neff AT. Rare coagulation factor deficiencies. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ Jr, Silberstein LE, Heslop HE, Weitz JI, Anastasi JI, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice . 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2012:chap 139.

Ragni MV. Hemorrhagic disorders: coagulation deficiencies. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2012:chap 177.

 
  • Blood clots - illustration

    Blood clots (fibrin clots) are the clumps that result when blood coagulates.

    Blood clots

    illustration

    • Blood clots - illustration

      Blood clots (fibrin clots) are the clumps that result when blood coagulates.

      Blood clots

      illustration

    A Closer Look

     

      Tests for Factor XII (Hageman factor) deficiency

       

       

      Review Date: 1/22/2015

      Reviewed By: Rita Nanda, MD, assistant professor of medicine, section of hematology/oncology, University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

      The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

       
       
       

       

       

      A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.



      Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.