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Protein C and Protein S
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Common Questions
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1. Is there anything I can do to increase Protein C and Protein S levels?
2. Should relatives of someone with an inherited Protein C or Protein S deficiency be tested?
1. Is there anything I can do to increase Protein C and Protein S levels?
Not directly. If you have deficiencies that are due to a temporary condition (such as pregnancy or an infection), they should return to normal levels by themselves. If they are due to an underlying condition, like liver disease, that condition must be addressed. If you have inherited Protein C or Protein S deficiencies or dysfunction, your doctor will often advise you to concentrate on lowering other clotting risk factors, such as lowering elevated homocysteine levels, not smoking, and avoiding oral contraceptive use. When necessary, fresh frozen plasma, which contains Protein C and Protein S, can be given as a short-term preventative measure (for instance, before a surgical procedure), but this is not a treatment that can be used on a daily basis.
2. Should relatives of someone with an inherited Protein C or Protein S deficiency be tested?
Not necessarily. Routine screening has not been recommended because the penetrance of the genes is low (this means that even if you have the genetic change, you may or may not ever have a clotting problem). Your doctor may want to order this testing, however, if you have a strong family history of a severe Protein C or Protein S deficiency or a history of developing a thrombosis at an early age.
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This article was last reviewed on
June 11, 2007.
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