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Warning-sign checks

Factor XII (hageman factor) deficiency: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Seek emergency care for possible blood-clot symptoms, including sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing up blood, or painful one-sided leg swelling.

    Factor XII deficiency does not rule out an unrelated clot.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Get urgent medical help for significant or unexplained bleeding, including blood in vomit, black stools, heavy bleeding that does not stop, or a severe headache after a head injury.

    These are not expected features of isolated factor XII deficiency and may have another cause.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange routine medical follow-up if you have an unexplained prolonged aPTT, were told your factor XII level is low without confirmatory testing, or had a planned procedure delayed because of the result.

    This is usually not an emergency.

The article also says

Discuss the condition in advance of major surgery, pregnancy care, or anticoagulant treatment.

This allows time to confirm the diagnosis and plan how clotting tests will be interpreted.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Factor XII (hageman factor) deficiency. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.