Quantitative D-Dimer Test

The Quantitative D-Dimer test is a blood test used primarily to detect blood clots or rule out clotting disorders in the body. It measures the amount of D-dimer — a fibrin degradation product that’s present in the blood when a blood clot is being broken down by the body.

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.

What is D-Dimer test?

• D-dimer is a protein fragment produced when a blood clot dissolves (fibrinolysis).
• Normally, it is undetectable or present at very low levels.
• High levels may suggest abnormal clotting activity, but they’re not specific to one condition.

Purpose of D-Dimer test

Used to help diagnose or rule out:

• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) – blood clots in deep veins (usually legs)
• Pulmonary embolism (PE) – blood clots in lungs
• Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) – widespread clotting and bleeding

Other names of D-Dimer test

D-Dimer Assay, Fragment D-dimer test, fibrin degradation fragment