Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy® and Diplomat Specialty Infusion Group® are joining the Optum® family.
To learn more about what this means for you, visit our FAQ pages:
Simplifying Therapy for Factor XIII Deficiency
Diplomat Specialty Infusion Group supports patients throughout treatment.Factor XIII deficiency is a rare bleeding disorder. People with the disorder have low levels of a protein called clotting factor XIII. This can make it harder for their blood to clot and their wounds to heal. It can also cause abnormal bleeding.
Many people who have factor XIII deficiency aren’t diagnosed because their symptoms aren’t strong enough. The intensity of symptoms depends on the type of factor XIII deficiency you have.
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What are the different types of factor XIII deficiency?
There are two types of factor XIII deficiency: inherited and acquired.
When you have inherited factor XIII deficiency, you have mutations in two genes that control how much factor XIII you produce. Your body produces much less factor XIII than it needs — sometimes less than 5 % of the normal amount. Worldwide, one to three people out of every million have this kind of factor XIII deficiency.
Acquired factor XIII deficiency can be caused by several medical conditions, including:
- Hepatitis or cirrhosis (liver conditions)
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Severe bacterial infections
- Many types of cancer
- Conditions that cause your immune system to respond abnormally
People who have the acquired type produce 20–70% of the normal level of factor XIII. As a result, symptoms are generally mild. People who produce at least 10% of normal factor XIII levels usually won’t even have bleeding episodes.
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What are the symptoms of factor XIII deficiency?
If you have factor XIII deficiency, you might have blood in your urine, wounds that don’t heal well, heavy bleeding from wounds, and blood blisters inside your abdomen. Pregnant women can miscarry if they don’t get treatment.
Men who have factor XIII deficiency can have low sperm counts or sterility. These problems often do not respond to treatment.
About 25% of people who have factor XIII deficiency can hemorrhage (bleed heavily) from their brain and spinal cord after mild head trauma. This is a serious risk for patients, even though the bleeding might stop on its own. Symptoms can include headaches, vomiting, seizures, and problems with speech, vision, and hearing.
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How does Diplomat help people with factor XIII deficiency?
Diplomat Specialty Infusion Group helps you with medication and customized clinical support. We dispense both of the medications that are used to treat factor XIII deficiency.
People who have inherited factor XIII deficiency can be treated with Corifact®, a factor XIII concentrate. This medication is infused (injected into a vein), usually every three to four weeks. Some patients with factor XIII deficiency can also be treated with a medication called Tretten®, which is also infused.
The body only needs about 10% of the standard level of factor XIII to function normally, so the doses of either medication can be small. Patients must be careful not to exceed the labeled dose to avoid abnormal clotting and side effects.
In an emergency situation where people are bleeding heavily, they can also receive transfusions of cryoprecipitates (blood plasma).
If you have factor XIII deficiency, be careful using aspirin or other medications that can cause bleeding.
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Sources
Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center
Remember: The information here — and on linked sites — is not meant to replace advice, care, or a diagnosis from your physician. If you have questions about your condition, please ask your provider.
The information contained herein may not be construed as medical advice. It is for educational purposes only. Diplomat Pharmacy Inc. takes no responsibility for the accuracy or validity of the information contained herein, nor the claims or statements of any manufacturer.
How can Diplomat help me?
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Resources
Diplomat connects you with the support you need. We do much more than just fill your prescriptions. Diplomat Specialty Infusion Group provides a number of resources to support you throughout treatment.-
StrapWrap® Medical Alert ID
An Accessory to Keep Vital Health Information Close
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Nate Books: I Am Nate!
A Book for Children on the Basics of Hemophilia
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Nate Books: It’s Always About Nate
A Book for Siblings of Children With a Bleeding Disorder
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Nate Books: The Great Inhibinator
A Book for Children With Hemophilia & Inhibitors
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Hemophilia of North Carolina Educational Scholarship Program
A Scholarship for People With Bleeding Disorders
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Kids’ Hemophilia Calendar Contest
Submit Artwork to Be Featured in Diplomat's Annual Calendar
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Hemophilia Workshops
Interactive Learning With Other Kids & Caregivers
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Mailing List
Request News, Tips, Stories & More
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Programs
Diplomat’s condition-specific programs provide personalized support. Diplomat Specialty Infusion Group’s condition-specific programs are great tools to keep you on track throughout therapy. We connect you with condition education, clinical support, treatment coaching, and more.
Financial Assistance
We’ll look for ways to help you afford therapy.There are many ways to get help paying for specialty medications. We'll seek third-party programs and support the application process from start to finish.
MyFactor® Infusion App
An App for People With Hemophilia & Bleeding DisordersThe MyFactor app gives you an easy way to track your bleeding events and treatments and share information directly with your doctor. The app helps patients conveniently track their personal infusion records, bleeding event history, and share important injury and treatment information with members of their healthcare team. MyFactor was tested extensively by members of the hemophilia patient community.
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