All You Need To Know About The D-Dimer Test

 

Decoding the D-Dimer Test

The amount of D-dimer in the blood is determined by a D-dimer test, which is usually very low and difficult to detect in the blood. If you test positive for this test, it means you have a lot of D – dimer in your blood. This test is one method for detecting the presence of a serious blood clot or keeping track of blood clotting problems in the body. 

The D-dimer test, in combination with other imaging tests, is crucial in the diagnosis of thrombotic illnesses; a positive test result implies thrombosis and other probable causes, whereas a negative test result rules out thrombosis. The D-dimer test can also be used to diagnose blood disorders such as disseminated intravascular coagulation.

What are the types of blood clotting disorders?

Clotting of the blood is a significant medical disorder that can be life-threatening. The following are the three categories of blood coagulation disorders:

  • Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a serious condition in which a blood clot forms in a deep vein. A blood clot is a clump of blood that has hardened. Deep vein blood clots most usually develop in the thigh or lower leg, but they can happen anywhere in the body. This condition is also known as thromboembolism, post-thrombotic syndrome, and postphlebitic syndrome.

  • Pulmonary embolism (PE)

A pulmonary embolism is a blood clot that forms in the lungs. It can destroy a section of the lung due to restricted blood flow, as well as diminish blood oxygen levels and affect other organs. Large or frequent blood clots have the potential to be fatal.

 

One-third of people who are misdiagnosed or untreated die as a result, On the other hand, emergency treatment greatly improves your chances of avoiding long-term lung damage.

  • Stroke

A stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures and bleeds, or when the brain's blood supply is cut off. Because of the rupture or obstruction, blood and oxygen cannot reach the brain's tissues. The brain's tissues are harmed when there is a lack of blood supply. Symptoms of a stroke might be seen in the body parts controlled by damaged brain regions. 

What do the results of a D-dimer test mean?

A normal or "negative" D-dimer result (one in which the D-dimer level is less than a predetermined cut-off threshold) means the person being tested does not have an acute sickness or condition that causes abnormal clot formation and breakdown. According to most clinicians, a negative D-dimer is most valid and beneficial when done on individuals at low to moderate risk of thrombosis. The test is done to rule out clotting as a possible cause of symptoms.

A high level of fibrin breakdown products might be indicated by a positive D-Dimer Test. It reveals that a big blood clot (thrombus) has developed and broken down in the body, but it doesn't say where or why it happened. For example, venous thromboembolism (VTE) or disseminated intravascular coagulation may be the reason (DIC). D-dimer levels are generally fairly high in DIC patients.

 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Thyroid common problems, Symptoms and Blood Tests

Image
Thyroid is a butterfly shaped gland located at the back of our throats which releases thyroid hormones that regulates body processes like respiration, body temperature, hormonal levels, moods, digestive and other metabolic processes. Common thyroid problems are: · Hyperthyroidism (when thyroid gland produces too many hormones) · Hypothyroidism (when thyroid gland produces not enough hormones) · Thyroid cancer · Thyroid enlargement Common thyroid problems are: · Hyperthyroidism (when thyroid gland produces too many hormones) · Hypothyroidism (when thyroid gland produces not enough hormones) · Thyroid cancer · Thyroid enlargement · Nodules or lumps in thyroid · Dysfunction of thyroid gland due to drugs Symptoms of Thyroid Disorders: · Fatigue · Sensitivity to Cold · Dryness · Flaky skin · Hair loss · Slow Heart Rate · Constipation · Unexplained weight gain Tests for Thyroid Thyroid disorders can be diagnosed with the help of several tests,   Thyroid Tests ...
Read more

Irregular Periods: Symptoms, Causes And Treatment

Image
  Irregular periods are such a common issue that most of us face it at some point in our lives. Missing three periods in a row, periods occurring less than 21 days or more than 35 days apart or menstrual flow getting unusually heavier or lighter are some obvious symptoms of irregular periods. Therefore, here we will first discuss some of the most common causes of irregular periods and later we will see some available treatments and home remedies to treat them. Causes of irregular periods: Pregnancy You must be knowing this one – if you miss your period and you’ve had intercourse recently, then pregnancy could be a possible cause. You can lookout for early pregnancy symptoms like morning sickness, nausea, fatigue, and breast tenderness. To confirm, you can take a pregnancy test at home or see your doctor. Birth control pills Most birth control pills contain a combination of estrogen and progestin hormones. If you use them irregularly, your menstrual cycle can be impacted a...
Read more

Why You Shouldn't Ignore Regular Diabetes Checkups

Image
The food we eat contains carbohydrates, proteins, fat, minerals, and various sorts of vitamins. Food like cereals, wheat, rice, dairy products, fruits, and sugary food contain carbohydrates that break down in our stomach and digestive system and this broken paste is converted into glucose in our stomach. The body derives its energy from this glucose to help us do daily activities and fight various ailments.    The glucose produced in the stomach goes into the bloodstreams of the body leading to higher glucose levels. Another gland called pancreas located beneath the stomach starts releasing a hormone called insulin. Both insulin and glucose enters the bloodstream supplying energy that we get from food. So basically, insulin and glucose are both essential for a healthy human body. But what happens, sometimes your body stops producing insulin resulting in higher blood sugar levels, therefore causing diabetes. Diabetes is a serious medical condition where your body ...
Read more