The D-dimer test serves as a valuable diagnostic tool for blood clotting disorders, which can be life-threatening if left untreated.
If you suffer from a blood clotting disorder, clots may form without injury or fail to dissolve properly, indicating a malfunction in your body’s clotting mechanism. These disorders can be serious and life-threatening, making prompt detection and treatment vital. A D-dimer test is essential for identifying the presence of such clotting issues. Continue reading to understand how the D-dimer test functions and its significance.
How Does Blood Clotting Work?
Before getting into what a D-dimer test is, it’s essential to understand how blood clotting works. Blood clotting is an essential process that helps avoid excessive blood loss when you are injured. When a tissue or blood vessel is damaged, your body initiates hemostasis to form a blood clot and stop the bleeding.
During hemostasis, fibrin protein threads are created, weaving together to form a net that, along with platelets, stabilises the clot until the injury heals. These clots appear as scabs or bruises. Once healing is complete, the enzyme plasmin breaks down the clot into small fragments called fibrin degradation products, including D-dimer.
In blood clotting disorders, clots may form without injury or fail to dissolve properly, indicating a malfunction in the clotting process. Such conditions can be serious and life-threatening. Elevated D-dimer levels in your blood may indicate a blood clotting disorder, as they rise significantly with increased clot formation and breakdown.
What is a D-dimer Test?
A D-dimer test is a blood test that measures the presence of D-dimer, a protein fragment generated when a blood clot dissolves. Normally, D-dimer levels are undetectable or very low unless significant clot formation and breakdown occur in the body. An elevated D-dimer test result may suggest a blood clotting condition, but it does not confirm the presence of one. Additionally, the test cannot determine the type or location of the clot. The D-dimer test price at Apollo 24|7 is ₹1,250*.
Normal D-dimer Test Results
There are various methods for testing D-dimer levels in your blood, so there isn’t a single universal “normal” range. Your lab results will indicate whether your D-dimer level is low, high, normal, positive, or negative.
Low, normal, or negative D-dimer test results generally suggest that you do not have a clotting disorder. Higher-than-normal D-dimer levels may indicate a blood clotting condition, but the test cannot specify the type or location of the clot.
It's possible to have higher-than-normal D-dimer levels without a blood clotting disorder. If your results are abnormal, your healthcare provider may order additional blood tests or imaging tests to determine a diagnosis.
What Do High D-dimer Levels Indicate?
High D-dimer levels can indicate various blood clotting conditions, such as:
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): This occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein, often in the thigh, lower leg, or pelvis, potentially obstructing blood flow.
- Pulmonary Embolism (PE): PE results from a clot, typically from the arm or leg, travelling through the bloodstream and lodging in the lung's blood vessels.
- Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC): It leads to excessive blood clot formation, risking organ damage and complications. The D-dimer test aids in DIC diagnosis and treatment monitoring.
- Stroke: A stroke, or brain attack, arises from a blocked or ruptured blood vessel in the brain.
When is a D-dimer Test Ordered?
You might require a D-dimer test if you're experiencing symptoms of a blood clotting disorder.
Symptoms of DVT may include:
- Tenderness or pain in your leg, particularly when walking or standing
- Sudden swelling in your arm or leg
- Red or discoloured skin
- Warmth in the painful or swollen area
- Enlarged veins near the skin's surface
Symptoms of DIC comprise:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Bleeding gums
- Severe abdominal and muscle pain
- Decreased urine output
- Seizures
Symptoms of a pulmonary embolism include:
- Sharp chest pain exacerbated by movement or coughing
- Sudden rapid breathing or shortness of breath
- Back pain
- Increased sweating
- Coughing, sometimes with blood in phlegm or spit
- Dizziness or fainting
- Elevated heart rate
Symptoms of a stroke involve sudden:
- Confusion, difficulty speaking, or trouble understanding speech
- Weakness or numbness in the arm, leg, or face, especially on one side
- Difficulty walking
- Vision problems in one or both eyes
- Severe headache without a known cause
- Loss of balance, lack of coordination, or dizziness
All in all, the D-dimer test serves as a crucial tool in identifying blood clotting disorders, which can pose significant health risks if left undetected and untreated. While an elevated D-dimer level suggests the presence of a clotting condition, it does not specify the type or location of the clot. Further diagnostic tests may be necessary to confirm a diagnosis.
