I have that mutation too and I'm a lifer. I had a massive saddle clot which I was very lucky to survive so the haematologist said he would be happier if I stayed on warfarin "long term" Ultimately it was up to me but to be honest it was a no brainer. I know many people can't wait to get off warfarin but once your inr is stable it's just a case of keeping an eye on it.

I don't know if you had other factors that could have contributed to your clot? You could always get the protein tests done and see what those results say. Either way being on warfarin isn't as bad as what some people seem to think :-) Wishing you all the best

Karen

I got it too, plus Factor V, and a little protein S and C deficiency, but I got tested while on Coumadin, so I'm not sure if the hematologist will retest again when I'm off the medication. I will come off after one year, the end of this month.
I'm planning to continue blood thinning with the help of my naturopath doctor, even the hematologist said is unnecessary.
But I want to reduce my chances having an other clot, without the side effects of the drug.
Wait for the protein S and C tests, and you will see what the doctor recommend and how you feel about it.

Karen, I was also on Yazz BC at the time, plus under a lot of stress. NorthJ: I was told the Protein S and C are only accurate when off the Coumadin. I am going off next week and then will get tested for those in 3 weeks. If either of those shows up, it's definitely Coumadin for life. If not, it seemed to be up to me. I have not felt well during this time on Coumadin and it will be interesting to see how I feel off of it for 3 weeks. My hematologist wasn't too positive about taking aspirin or fish oils, etc. Said it wouldn't help.

I've been told that just because you test postivie for a genetic factor doesn't automatically mean a lifer on coumadin. Of course, you have to weigh the risks/benefits and all of that, and ultimately it's between you and your doctor.

Protein C and Protein S aren't accurate when you're on coumadin. Coumadin depletes those in your blood, so taking those tests while on coumadin might be giving a false positive. Those can only be accurate when not on thinners.

I'm heterozygous Factor II as well and my doc has recommended one year of warfarin therapy for me which is up at the end of August - time flies when you're having fun... :)

From what I can tell, Heterzygous Factor II alone isn't traditionally enough for doctors to recommend life on anticoagulants. I was told if I'd shown up with a second genetic marker they'd make me a lifer but thankfully that didn't happen!

While I think my psyche might be happier as a lifer, as an athlete I have to get back to playing hockey for my sanity and I can't do that on blood thinners.

Thanks everyone! Mickfinn, I was very interested in your reply since it correlates with my hematologist's opinion, although he said it wouldn't be wrong to stay on Coumadin. I have delayed going off for a bit since a grandchild is due any day now and I was referred over to a neurosurgeon for some ulnar nerve damage. And am being checked for a condition called myasthenia gravis due to an eye droop. I just want to get past all of this!

Last month I tested positive for Heterzygous as well but with no other factors coming back positive. My Hemotologist said he is going to leave me on Warfarin just for my 6 months and then will put me on Aspirin for life starting with stronger strength working back to baby aspirin if all is good.

I also forgot that the Hemotologist put me on Folic Acid pills everyday.

chevy707, why the folic acid? And my hematologist said the aspirin wouldn't help. I hate all the contradictory information! Thank you for sharing with me!