Is APS hereditary?

[debatwistow]

I was diagnosed 4 yrs ago. Nobody seems to know if APS is hereditary. My son who's 16 has started to get migraines with arm/finger numbness, vision distortion & headache just like me when I was his age. This apparently, could be a symptom of APS? I would welcome any thoughts.

[Manofmendip]

Dear debatwistow

Well, Prof Hughes said to me that there is a possible hereditary liink to APS and offered to test my son, when he came to see the Prof with me, my son declined, however.

With your son getting these symptoms I would strongly suggest that getting him tested would be a good idea, so that he can receive medication if it is considered necessary and even, perhaps, a private consultation with Prof Hughes, if that is feasible.

Best wishes.

Dave

[MaryF Administrator]

There definitely seems to be a wide inherited pattern in my family members both past and present - however this is not the case across the board with every family. Best wishes. Mary F x

[Danimgw]

Hi. Yes in my case is hereditary. In my family there is a gene called prothrombin and some of us have mutated it: Myself, my cousin and my aunt, we all have APS.

My mum and brother have the gene but they haven't mutated it.

All the best,

Dani

What is the prothrombin gene mutation?

The prothrombin gene G20210A mutation differs from the gene for normal prothrombin or factor II by a single nucleotide (nucleotides are the building blocks of DNA). This mutation causes the body to produce excess amounts of prothrombin. Consequently, in individuals with the prothrombin gene mutation, prothrombin levels are higher, which in turn contributes to the formation of blood clots.

The percentage of people who have the prothrombin gene depends on the population studied. As with factor V Leiden, higher percentages are reported among people of European descent compared to people from other continents. In the United States, the prothrombin gene mutation has been found in 1 to 2 percent of Americans of European ancestry and fewer Americans of other ancestry.

stoptheclot.org/100_QA/risk...

[tim47 in reply to Danimgw]

I have Hughes and a nephew and niece of mine have the prothrombin mutation as does the daughter of one. I am one of six siblings.

[InSpain]

Yes, I too believe so. My Mother, Maternal Aunt , my sister and I all have APS. Also my maternal aunt, 2 of her sons (my cousins) my Sister & Brother and of course myself all have Lupus too. xxx

[CaliforniaGail]

Yes, there are theories of a hereditary connection for autoimmune problems like APS, and my family certainly is an example. A simple test will usually say whether your son has APS, but another "UCTD" or autoimmune problem may be responsible for varying symptoms. I'm the only family member with APS, but also have Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disorders -- some Lupus symptoms without testing positive, and I have similar symptoms with my mother's Rheumatoid Arithritis and sister's MS (her tingling and numbess in arm and leg started in her teens) hss.edu/conditions_undiffer...

Also my APS did not show itself until my 50's -- has your son had an illness? A lot of times you have the gene susceptibility like I did, but it wasn't until a bad case of bronchitis/pneumonia that triggered my antiphospholipid antibodies. Everyone has a different set of symptoms to varying degrees, and add to that our changing conditions. Good days and "flareups."

So my only advice is to be aware of the different symptoms of the autoimmune disorders and keep a good journal of any symptoms your son encounters. His migraines/vision distortion/headaches may be from eye fatigue, perhaps needing glasses or reading a computer screen or video games. But since you have APS and there seems to be a hereditary factor, keep an eye out for any other symptoms to discuss with his doctor since he may have a cousin of APS, and it may take a few years to develop, if it does at all. I would consult with a rheumatologist or neurologist if the arm/finger numbness continues, and of course, mention your APS and your concern he may be developing MS or a UCTD. I would think a good rheummy would then run a blood panel and see if there is inflammation, etc. But be armed with evidence to tell him rather than just your fears. The tendency in the medical field seems to be wait-and-see, with the push to decrease unnecessary testing. All I know is that my rheummy has me take a lot of blood tests every 4-5 months to monitor any changes in my APS/ UCTD/ Reynauds. I'm comforted that a majority of UCTDs do not progress to Lupus. Your son may outgrow his MS-like symptoms and not be bothered with them again.

[dorsetbutterfly]

This is really interesting and I will keep an eye on my daughter as she grows up. She is 10. My nan had two brain haemhorrages, my mum had clotting issues and thyroid problems when she was pregnant with me, migraines run heavily through my family as does dyspraxia and dyslexia. I have anaemia as well as APS. Incidentally thank you for your advice recently APSnotFAB and the other admins when I first joined. I had blood tests on Monday after I emailed my doctor with a list of my symptoms and he wants me to have another brain scan