Troponin T

The test is ordered when the doctor suspects that a person has suffered a heart attack or to evaluate the cause for heart injury for reasons other than heart attack. Those who have Angina, the test is useful to evaluate if symptoms are expected to worsen. Signs of heart attack include chest pain, radiating pain in back, arm, jaws and neck, rapid heartbeat, skipping a heartbeat, shortness of breath, cold sweats, lightheadedness etc.

Troponin is usually present in very small levels in the blood and is released in the blood in response to damage to cells. This test is recommended for the diagnosis and management of acute coronary syndrome.

TROPONIN T levels lesser than < 0.03 ng/ml is considered normal

The troponin blood test measures the amount of troponin in the blood.

Other names: cTnT, cardiac specific Troponin T

Troponins are three regulatory proteins found in the skeletal and cardiac muscles that is integral to muscle contraction. There are three types of troponin proteins: troponin C, troponin T, and troponin I. Measurements of cardiac-specific troponins I and T are used as diagnostic and prognostic tests in myocardial infarction and acute coronary syndrome.

When a person has high troponin levels and if there is a rise in fall of the results over a series of hours, then it is likely that the person has suffered some form of heart damage. Levels go up in the blood after 3 to 6 hours from heart injury and can remain elevated for even up to two weeks.

However, troponin levels alone are not used to diagnose or rule a heart attack but clinical history and other tests like ECG are also considered.