Description

Functional Factor V testing is a laboratory analysis used to assess the activity of Factor V, a protein involved in blood clotting. Here’s what it entails:

1. Factor V: Factor V is a crucial component of the coagulation cascade, which is the series of steps that occur to form blood clots. It plays a role in the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin, a key enzyme in clot formation.
2. Functional Testing: Functional Factor V testing evaluates the actual activity of Factor V in the blood. This test measures how well Factor V functions in facilitating the clotting process. It is often performed using a clotting assay, where the time it takes for blood to clot is measured in the presence of Factor V.

Functional Factor V testing is typically ordered in the evaluation of bleeding disorders or thrombotic disorders. Abnormalities in Factor V activity can contribute to bleeding disorders (if Factor V activity is reduced) or thrombotic disorders (if Factor V activity is increased or dysregulated).

One specific condition associated with Factor V is Factor V Leiden mutation, a genetic mutation that increases the risk of abnormal blood clotting. Functional Factor V testing can help diagnose this mutation by assessing the activity of Factor V in the blood.