Clinical Bleeding Disorder Services

Hemophilia is an inherited bleeding disorder that may be passed from parent to child. People with hemophilia A are missing or have reduced clotting factor VIII (8). People with hemophilia B are missing or have reduced clotting factor IX (9). These clotting factors are proteins in the blood that help blood clot and stop bleeding.

Von Willebrand disease is the most common inherited bleeding disorder. People with von Willebrand Disease may have low levels of von Willebrand factor (VWF), may have VWF that doesn’t work properly, or may be missing VWF altogether. VWF is a protein in the blood that is needed for building a strong platelet plug and protect clotting factor VIII (8), important steps in the clotting process.

Platelets are tiny blood cells required to form the clots that stop bleeding. While it is rare, people can inherit platelet disorders that lead to excessive bleeding. Some of these disorders are Glanzmann's thrombasthenia and Bernard-Soulier syndrome.

Fibrinogen (also known as clotting factor I) and other clotting proteins are needed to produce a fibrin-based clot that stops bleeding. Deficiencies or poor function of these proteins can result in a bleeding disorder.

WACBD is at the forefront of diagnosing and treating rare bleeding disorders, including fibrinogen disorders. Our hematologists utilize advanced testing methods to identify these conditions and develop targeted treatment plans.

Sometimes, people develop bleeding disorders later in life, like acquired hemophilia or acquired von Willebrand Syndrome. These disorders are not passed from parent to child; they can arise when an individual’s immune system develops antibodies that inhibit crucial clotting factors. Early diagnosis and treatment can improve outcomes for these potentially life-threatening disorders.

15-30% of women with heavy menstrual bleeding may have an undiagnosed bleeding disorder. Our Women's Health Initiative focuses on identifying and treating bleeding disorders in women. We provide comprehensive evaluations for those experiencing heavy menstrual bleeding, excessive bleeding during childbirth, or unexplained bleeding episodes.