Soylady,

Having AT Defiency in itself places you at high risk for developing clots even if there are no other associated risk factors.

Do you know if you are type I or type II?

Here is a brochure that my organization created for patients and healthcare providers regarding Antithrombin Deficiency:

http://www.stoptheclot.org/News/article138.htm

Good question! I've wondered about plant estrogens, and soy in particular, as soy is in just about everything these days. Besides being high in plant estrogen, soy is also a goitregen. That is, it can impact thyroid function and cause "sluggish" thyroid - which in turn can impact your vascular system. Could that contribute to clotting if a person is predisposed as well? I wonder about it, but have absolutely no science to back that up.

I also kinda think the fluctuating hormones in peri-menopausal women contributes to clotting, which is why we find a spike in DVT among the 40+ female crowd. Again, absolutely NO science behind this...just little ol' me wondering why I could have FVL thrombophilia my whole life and nuthin' ever happened until my mid-40's. I've been as soy-free as possible for the past 7 years because I developed an allergy to it (as well as pinto beans oddly enough). Also have some thyroid issues and am in my peri-menopause days. Could those things combined with FVL have been the perfect storm? I wonder.
Another thing to consider is all the environmental estrogens we're exposed to daily, and chemicals that mimic estrogens found in plastic containers, wrap, bottles, ground water...well it's endless. And it's potent enough to cause male fish to devolope female characteristics just from swimming in a polluted stream - why couldn't it be enough to cause clotting in a predisposed individual? Where's the nearest bubble - I'm moving in!

Hi!

I am not a doctor just a regular person but what you are saying makes perfect sense. Doesn't soy have some effect re estrogen?

If soy increases estrogen levels than wouldn't that be a risk factor close to pregnancy or birth control pills?

It is hard when you are previously healthy and then all of a sudden develop a clot. I think most people on the board are. Some girls in their twenties. I survived my first pregnancy without a clot a 38 and then clotted at 41 with Lupus Anticoagulant. I was healthy and walking 1/2 a day while pregnant.

I am sorry... I am adopted and when I found my birth mother she said she clotted many times.... I couldn't escape my history. I guess it could be worse. I would rather this then alot of other things. It is hard coming to terms with though.

Pam

Bad typo... I was walking 1/2 hour a day while pregnant. Not 1/2 a day.

Laura, You said what I wanted to say perfectly!

Pam

I'm going to pass this question to Dr. Michael Paidas of Yale University. Michael is one of the leading Women's Health Specialist in the U.S. in regards to blood clots and blood clotting disorders related to women's health.

Will let you know what I find out.

Regards,
Tom in Connecticut

Thanks Tom! I really appreciate it...inquiring minds want to know! :)
And I'm with ya Pam; we could have been dealt a far worse hand.

Wow! Thanks for all these great replies! This is the first time I've tried going on a support site and I love it! :D

Tom- thanks for the Stop the Clot site (which I've been spending some time on) and for passing on my question to the Yale guy.

Laura, you have a good point about peri-menopause and hormones affecting DVT... And about environment. I got the gene from my grandma, who had NINE kids and lived to be 80+ and never took blood thinner... she clotted with child #6 but they just dissolved on their own. Then my mom had clots --but only when set off by the pill or pregnancy or middle age-- and now I have clots for seemingly no reason. It does make you wonder about environmental factors! Hopefully more research is on the way.

Pam, thanks for your encouraging words! You are right that we need to stay positive. As I give myself the Lovenox I say thank you to the doctors and the researchers that I am alive and relatively healthy and that there is treatment for this.

Laura: I have add that I agree 100% with you about DVT and perimenopause. I was having recurring clots in my superficial veins in my legs that were totally in sync with my mensus cycle. This also is one of the main symptoms of Protein C deficiency. It can become worst in our 40's as per some reports I read on line. In my case the Dr did ot test for Protein C prior to going on anticoagulants and now the Dr does not want to take me off coumadin to test. Also was not aware of soy having a "supressing" effect on thyroid. I have hpyothroidism.

Soylady: Your questioning soy products is definitely worth taking a deeper look. My favorite low glycemic protein shake mix is soy based and I have avoided it until recently. Maybe I should stay away from it too.

Hang in there!

Of course, environmental estrogen is a new term (at least for me) that I've been reading alot about lately. There are some scientific beliefs, and studies, showing environmental estrogrens are causing earlier developmental changes in young girls (before the age of 12). Had discussed this issue with the Chief of Yale Universities OB/GYN department when my wife and I had some minor concerns regarding our daughter (9 years old). Learned a little about environmental estrogens.

I don't think there are any connections to DVT regarding Environmental Estrogen but figured I'd mentioned it. Foods and even plastic containers are culprits of this.

http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/news/estrogenic-food-additivestely.

Mike Paidas is on travel currently so as soon as I hear back from him I will let you know his thoughts regarding Soy and DVT. I know I'll be seeing up at Boston as the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostatis (ISTH) meeting along with Dr. Stephan Moll. Will raise the question there if I don't hear back anything.

Regards,
Tom in Connecticut

I have wondered this many a time myself.
I was completely healthy before my clot!

No family history at all what so ever even back to my great great grandparents on both sides no clots period.

I have been tested twice for all clotting factors and I have none.

However i took Birth control 4 months and BAM PE.

I also am putting 2 and 2 together now. My gf is a veggterrian and i am not, however in the last couple years my soy in take has been way up. Although I dont think soy gave me a blood clot, I do wonder if the YAZ BC, Soy, and me being overweight created as we say, the perfect storm for a pe?

I am struggling now that I am offcoumadin to be confident that i am ok and that I will not clot without outside factors like birth control. My drs ( and ive had a lot) are all confident that I will be ok and live clot free and that this was just an unfortunate occurence with the birth control.

hmm interesting ill be following this one!!!

I should add that im 22 so im a young one. I will just keep staying positive that I will live a long healthy life I am being smart about it staying away from risk factors.

I am loosing weight with weight watchers now.
of course never touching bc again! and drinking lots of water!