Quantitative D-dimer, Citrate Plasma

This test is generally prescribed if your doctor suspects you might suffer from blood clots. Major risk factor include

• Major surgery (hip surgery or major accidents)
• Pregnancy or recent childbirth
• COVID-19 infection
• Certain Cancer
• Deep vein thrombosis: generally seen in legs but can be in other parts of body
• Pulmonary embolism : Blood clot in lung
• Stroke
• Elderly patients
• Hormone based birth control pills may also increase risk of blood clots.

 

You may need more blood tests, including platelet count, fibrinogen, and prothrombin time.

 

If you exhibit any of the following symptoms of blood clot is present in any parts of body:

 

• Leg tenderness and swelling (edema)
• blood while coughing,
• trouble in breathing,
• fainting
• Recent child birth
• Excessive swelling of feet (edema) during pregnancy

 

 It is also critical to find out that you do not have blood clot formation in the body without any apparent injury, as this can lead to life threatening conditions. Hence, D-dimer levels testing plays critical role in providing insights as to whether or not blood clotting process is regular in your body or not.

 

The D-dimer test is useful for those with symptoms of deep vein thrombosis, DIC or Pulmonary embolism and to monitor treatment.

Other names: D-Dimer Assay, Fragment D-dimer test, fibrin degradation fragment

 

 

Whenever a blood clot is formed, it slowly breaks down slowly. In this process a protein fragments (small pieces) called D-dimer in released into the blood.This blood test is done to look for a substance called D-dimer (small protein pieces) that’s made when blood clot dissolves. This test is used to rule out a blood clot.

Blood clotting or blood clot formation is natural process in body to prevent excessive blood loss after injury. These blood clots also dissolve on their own once the injury is healed. However, if you have any clotting disorders or taking any medications which alter this natural clotting process of the body or have had infection these blood clots are formed without in any obvious injury or do not dissolve. 

However, D-dimer test isgeneral and non-specific test. It simply implies that blood clot formation is present in the body but it does not indicate the cause or location of the same.

 

Alteration is blood clotting mechanism is a common side effect in COVID-19 infection.

 

Reference range for D-dimer levels:

 

D-Dimer levels

< 0.5 µg FEU/mL (Fibrinogen equivalent units).

 

Requirement: No fasting requirement.

Interpretation

An elevated D-dimer level is not normal. It's usually found after a clot has formed and is in the process of breaking down. If you are having significant formation and breakdown of blood clot in your body, your D-dimer may be elevated. This this case, you will be asked to do have other tests. You may have the following imaging tests to look for blood clots:

 

Ultrasonography

 

CT angiography

 

Pulmonary angiography

 

Ventilation/perfusion scanning

 

These tests help your healthcare provider diagnose blood clots in your legs, arms, lungs, or other parts of the body.

 

Elevated D-dimer does not necessarily mean that you have life threating disorder. High levels are also common during COVID-19 infection and even after few months of COVID-19 infection. It also commonly seen that D-dimer levels are elevated during pregnancy. If you have had recent surgery your D-dimer levels may be elevated.