Dear Dr. Roach: My son is 32 years old and developed a superficial blood clot in his arm near the elbow. They tested him for the factor V Leiden (FVL) mutation, and he is positive and heterozygous. They put him on blood thinners. I went and got tested. I tested positive and am homozygous, which means that I inherited the gene from both my parents. My cousin (my mom's brother's daughter) took the test and was negative. How can this be?

I had a blood clot during one of my four pregnancies 25 years ago. It was superficial, and I had to give myself injections twice daily of heparin for about eight months total. They said it was hormonal.

Should I be on aspirin or blood thinners? My primary doctor said "no." What are your thoughts?

— D.M.

Dear D.M.: FVL is an inherited genetic condition t

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