Hillary Clinton hospitalized with blood clot - three weeks after suffering concussion

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has been admitted to a New York hospital after the discovery of a blood clot stemming from the concussion she sustained earlier this month.

Clinton spokesman Philippe Reines said her doctors discovered the clot during a follow-up exam on Sunday.

Mr Reines said Clinton is being treated with anti-coagulants - but he would not indicate where the blood clot is located.

Clinton was admitted to New York-Presbyterian Hospital so doctors can monitor the medication over the next 48 hours.

Aides and doctors say Clinton contracted a stomach virus in early December and became dehydrated, then fainted, fell and hit her head on December 9.

She was diagnosed with a concussion on December 13 and hasn't been seen in public since.

Clinton's illness led her to cancel an overseas trip and scheduled testimony before Congress about the attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya.

Reines said doctors will continue to assess Clinton's condition, 'including other issues associated with her concussion.'

Political force: Clinton is known as President Obama's most popular cabinet members - and among the names mentioned for a possible 2016 presidential run

Medical care: Clinton was admitted to New York-Presbyterian Hospital so doctors can monitor her medication over the next 48 hours

Earlier this week, The National Enquirer reported that brain cancer was behind Mrs Clinton's health problems and that she was facing a barrage of medical tests to confirm the diagnosis.

But a spokesman for the 65-year-old Democrat labelled the claims 'absolute nonsense' and insisted Clinton was recovering well from the fall and subsequent concussion.

Only days before her concussion Clinton had said she was in excellent health during an interview with Barbara Walters.

At 65, detractors have claimed Clinton's advancing age and health make her too old to realistically serve as a two-term president were she elected in 2016.

First family: Mrs Clinton is pictured with daughter Chelsea Clinton and husband Bill during the closing Plenary session of the seventh Annual Meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative last year

'I am, thankfully, knock on wood, not only healthy, but have incredible stamina and energy,' Clinton told Barbara Walters.

Clinton has a history of fainting, having experienced a brief spell in in 2005 during an appearance before a women's group in Buffalo.

The former first lady is expected to step down from her role as Secretary of State in the beginning of 2013 when President Obama begins his second term.

At a State Department press conference in January 2012, she announced that she would be stepping down from the 'high wire of American politics' after 20 years as first lady, a senator from New York, and finally U.S. Secretary of State.

She told reporters at the press conference that 'it would be a good idea to find out how tired I really am.'

'Stamina:' At 67 years old, Clinton bragged to Barbara Walters just days before fainting that she is healthy and has plenty of energy and stamina