Which condition can lead to a higher risk of bleeding due to coagulation issues?

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) is a serious condition that leads to a higher risk of bleeding due to its impact on the coagulation system. In DIC, there is widespread activation of the coagulation cascade, which initially causes the formation of numerous small blood clots throughout the small blood vessels. This extensive clotting consumes clotting factors and platelets, leading to a paradoxical increase in the risk of bleeding.

As clotting factors become depleted from the excessive use during the formation of microclots, the body is left with insufficient components to initiate normal coagulation in the event of injury or bleeding, contributing to a potentially severe bleeding tendency.

Other conditions such as thrombophilia can actually increase the risk of clotting rather than bleeding, and conditions like polycythemia vera are associated with increased blood viscosity and thrombotic events rather than bleeding issues. While iron-deficiency anemia may have some effects on hemostasis, it does not directly result in a coagulation alteration of the magnitude seen in DIC that leads to severe bleeding risks.