GG: Clotting 101( was: fibroid bleeding management)

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In a message dated 5/20/2004 3:15:49 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

gschaumburg@... writes:

I thought it was a matter of clotting factors...like factor eight! That

they give people for hemophilia so they don't bleed out? You bleed so

much your clotting factors are low?

anyone? docs?

gigi

Hey, GG--always good to have a fact-checking nurse like you on our list! No,

not just good----but. . . excilantro!

In the clotting process, the platelets form a plug, and subsequently,

Factors VIII and IX serve to form the fibrous cover/seal for the clot. So,

you're

right--clotting is a complex phenomenon-- it IS more than just a platelet

effort. Although let the record reveal that the platelets are our body's " FIRST

RESPONDERS. "

However, my point was that being iron-deficient -- in and of itself-- plays

no role in a patient's FAILURE to clot properly.

Someone might assume that with all the blood loss, one would be lose

PLATELETS in addition to HEMOGLOBIN. And if that were the case, the original

poster's

doctor would be correct. Lower than normal platelets WOULD promote MORE

bleeding.

Except that the OPPOSITE is true--with iron deficiency, the body compensates

with all the blood loss by producing MORE (extra) PLATELETS in a protective

effort to prevent a life-threatening bleed.

For an overview of bleeding, check out this informative web site. Note the

diagram entitled " How Bleeding Stops "

http://www.netwellness.org/healthtopics/bleeding/

Truly it can be said (AND even sung) " Blood is A Many Splendored Thing. "

Don't you agree?

-Roma