Factor XII (Hageman factor) deficiency

When you bleed, a series of reactions take place in the body that helps blood clots form. This process is called the coagulation cascade. It involves special proteins called coagulation, or clotting, factors. You may have a higher chance of excess bleeding if one or more of these factors are missing or are not functioning like they should.

Factor XII is one such factor. A lack of this factor does not cause you to bleed abnormally. But, the blood takes longer than normal to clot in a test tube.

Factor XII deficiency is a rare inherited disorder.

There are usually no symptoms.

Factor XII deficiency is most often found when clotting tests are done for routine screening.

Tests may include:

• Factor XII assay
• Partial thromboplastin time (PTT)
• Mixing study

Treatment is usually not needed.

The outcome is expected to be good without treatment.

There are usually no complications.

The health care provider usually discovers this condition when running other lab tests.

This is an inherited disorder. There is no known way to prevent it.