When a blood vessel is injured, your body’s capacity to clot blood prevents excessive blood loss. Additionally, forming a clot is the initial stage in healing the damage.
Occasionally, a blood clot forms unnecessarily and stops a blood vessel. This prevents blood from reaching the vessel’s associated organs. When an organ’s blood supply is cut off, the organs become damaged and cease to function.
Organ damage symptoms may be the first indication that someone has a blood clot. A blood clot might be life-threatening in some situations rather than life-saving. That is why it is critical to determine if you have one.
Clotting is what keeps you from bleeding excessively when you cut yourself. However, the blood that circulates through your vessels should not clot. Clots of this type can travel through the bloodstream to the heart, lungs, or brain if they form. This can result in a heart attack, stroke, or even death.
Coagulation tests determine the ability of your blood to clot and the time required for it to clot. Testing can assist your doctor in determining your risk of excessive bleeding or the formation of clots (thrombosis) in your blood vessels.
What is the purpose of a coagulation test?
Clotting problems can result in excessive bleeding or clotting. Your doctor may offer one or more coagulation tests if they suspect you have a clotting condition. These assays assess the function of several proteins.
Several conditions can result in coagulation difficulties, including the following:
- hepatic disease
- thrombophilia, which is an abnormal tendency to clot
- haemophilia, or the inability of the blood to clot normally
- Coagulation tests are beneficial in monitoring individuals who take drugs that impair their ability to clot. Additionally, coagulation testing is occasionally recommended before surgery.
Coagulation test types
Coagulation tests come in a variety of forms. Several of them are discussed in detail in the sections below.
Blood count in its entirety (CBC)
Your doctor may prescribe a complete blood count (CBC) as part of your routine physical examination. The test findings can indicate whether you have anaemia or a low platelet count, impairing your ability to clot.
Assay for factor V
This test examines Factor V, a clotting factor. An abnormally low serum level may indicate liver illness, primary fibrinolysis (clot breakdown), or disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).
Fibrinogen concentration
Fibrinogen is a protein that your liver produces. This test determines the amount of fibrinogen in your blood. Anomalies in the data may indicate severe bleeding or haemorrhage, fibrinolysis, or placental abruption, a condition in which the placenta separates from the uterine wall.
This test is also known as the factor I or hypofibrinogenemia test.
Prothrombin interval (PT or PT-INR)
Prothrombin is another protein produced by the liver. The prothrombin time (PT) test determines how quickly and effectively your blood clots. It often takes between 25 and 30 seconds. If you are on blood thinners, this process may take longer. Additionally, haemophilia, liver illness, and malabsorption might result in incorrect results. Additionally, it is beneficial in monitoring individuals who use clotting-related drugs, such as warfarin (Coumadin).
Aplastic anaemia, primary thrombocythemia, or chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML) can result in an unusually high platelet count.
Thrombin interval
Thrombin time indicates the effectiveness of fibrinogen. Anomalies in the results may be caused by genetic fibrinogen abnormalities, liver disease, some types of malignancy, or drugs that interfere with clotting.
Bleeding Time
- This test measures how tiny blood vessels in your skin constrict and cease bleeding. It is not performed in the same way as the other blood tests.
- A blood pressure cuff will be inflated and placed on your upper arm. Your healthcare professional will make a few tiny cuts on the inside of your lower arm. The cuts will be superficial and will feel more like scratches.
- When the cuff has deflated, your healthcare professional will remove it and apply blotting paper to the cuts every 30 seconds until the bleeding stops.
- Typically, bleeding lasts between one to nine minutes. The test is regarded as safe and poses low risks or adverse effects.
Coagulation tests are performed in the following manner:
- Coagulation tests are performed in the same way as most blood tests. Certain drugs may need to be discontinued before the test. No other preparation is required.
- Sterilisation will be performed on the back of your hand or inside your elbow by your healthcare professional. They will puncture a vein with a needle. The majority of folks experience a little stick.
- Blood will be drawn and collected by your healthcare professional. They will next more than likely apply a bandage to the puncture location.
- In most cases, the adverse effects of a coagulation test are modest. You may have mild tenderness or bruising at the spot. Lightheadedness, discomfort, and infection are all possible side effects.
- If you have had an unusual amount of bleeding, the surgery will be closely monitored.
- The material will be tested and analysed in a laboratory.
Results
Blood test results are communicated to your doctor by the laboratory. Because values may vary between laboratories, consult your physician to explain the results. If your doctor identifies you with a clotting condition, your therapy will be individualised.
