DVT; Blood clot in the legs; Thromboembolism; Post-phlebitic syndrome; Post-thrombotic syndrome

• Changes in skin color (redness) in one leg
• Increased warmth in one leg
• Leg pain in one leg
• Leg tenderness in one leg
• Skin that feels warm to the touch
• Swelling (edema) of one leg

Your health care provider will perform a physical exam. The exam may show a red, swollen, or tender leg.

The following tests may be done:

• D-dimer blood test
• Doppler ultrasound exam of the legs
• Plethysmography (measurement of blood flow) of the legs
• X-rays to show veins in the affected area(venography)

Blood tests may be done to check if there is increased chance of blood clotting (hypercoagulability). Such tests include:

• Activated protein C resistance (checks for the Factor V Leiden mutation)
• Antithrombin III levels
• Antiphospholipid antibodies
• Genetic testing to look for mutations that make you more likely to develop blood clots, such as the prothrombin G20210A mutation
• Lupus anticoagulant or
• Protein C and protein S levels
• Screening for disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)

This list is not all-inclusive.

Images

Deep venous thrombosis, ileofemoral

Deep veins

Deep veins

Venous blood clot

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Deep venous thrombosis Overview

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Deep venous thrombosis Treatment

Review Date: 02/13/2011
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)