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What is a D-dimer test Medically reviewed by Angelica Balingit, MD — By Mathieu Rees on June 6, 2022A D-dimer test checks for a small protein fragment that can help identify blood clotting problems. A positive result may suggest a recent blood clot formation and breakdown in the body, which could indicate a blood clotting condition. The blood’s clotting function is an important process that can help prevent a person from losing too much blood after an injury to a blood vessel.
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Isabella Johnson Member
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The body forms a blood clot when several proteins join together at the site of injury. Once the site heals, the body produces another protein to break the clot into small pieces. One of these protein fragments is known as a D-dimer.
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Elijah Patel Member
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D-dimer is not usually detectable in blood and is usually only present after the breakdown of a blood clot. Therefore, a doctor can use a D-dimer test to identify an increase in the body’s clotting mechanisms, which could help identify a coagulation disorder.
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Evelyn Zhang 7 minutes ago
In this article, we will discuss what a D-dimer test is, what it can help detect, what to expect fro...
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Brandon Kumar 5 minutes ago
One of these FDPs is known as D-dimer, which consists of variously sized pieces of crosslinked fibri...
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Julia Zhang Member
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In this article, we will discuss what a D-dimer test is, what it can help detect, what to expect from the test, and how to interpret its results. Definition
Share on PinterestJohner Images/Getty ImagesA D-dimer test is a blood test that measures the level of D-dimer, a protein fragment that is present in blood after the breakdown of a blood clot. When blood clots break down, it produces fibrin degradation products (FDPs).
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Liam Wilson 6 minutes ago
One of these FDPs is known as D-dimer, which consists of variously sized pieces of crosslinked fibri...
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Dylan Patel 7 minutes ago
However, D-dimer tests are very sensitive and can result in false positives and negatives. As such, ...
One of these FDPs is known as D-dimer, which consists of variously sized pieces of crosslinked fibrin. This test can be useful for indicating the presence of elevated clotting mechanisms and can assist a doctor in reaching a diagnosis.
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Nathan Chen 2 minutes ago
However, D-dimer tests are very sensitive and can result in false positives and negatives. As such, ...
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Aria Nguyen 9 minutes ago
What conditions can it diagnose
D-dimer tests could help doctors detect a variety of blood clotting...
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James Smith Moderator
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However, D-dimer tests are very sensitive and can result in false positives and negatives. As such, this means that further tests are necessary to accurately diagnose blood clotting disorders.
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Amelia Singh 16 minutes ago
What conditions can it diagnose
D-dimer tests could help doctors detect a variety of blood clotting...
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Thomas Anderson 13 minutes ago
DVT can have serious consequences, as the blood clot can damage the valves in a vein. The clot may a...
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Mia Anderson Member
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What conditions can it diagnose
D-dimer tests could help doctors detect a variety of blood clotting disorders, which can include:Pulmonary embolism (PE): Refers to a blockage in the pulmonary artery, which supplies the blood to the lungs. An embolism describes when a blood clot travels to the blood vessels of the lungs and becomes stuck. As this can cause problems with blood flow and gas exchange, it can become a life threatening event.Deep vein thrombosis (DVT): Occurs when a blood clot, or thrombus, forms in a deep vein within the body.
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Amelia Singh 4 minutes ago
DVT can have serious consequences, as the blood clot can damage the valves in a vein. The clot may a...
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Isabella Johnson 1 minutes ago
This can compromise blood flow and can result in multiple organ dysfunction. Who may require the tes...
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Harper Kim Member
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DVT can have serious consequences, as the blood clot can damage the valves in a vein. The clot may also break free and potentially result in a pulmonary embolism.Disseminated intravascular coagulation: Describes a widespread hypercoagulable state, which may prevent blood from clotting normally.
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Victoria Lopez Member
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This can compromise blood flow and can result in multiple organ dysfunction. Who may require the test
A doctor may request a D-dimer test when they suspect a person may have a blood clotting problem. They may particularly recommend a test if an individual presents with DVT or PE symptoms, such as pain and swelling in the affected limb or labored breathing and chest pain.
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Victoria Lopez 43 minutes ago
Additionally, as it is a quick and noninvasive test, they may also use it to help rule these conditi...
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Amelia Singh Moderator
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Additionally, as it is a quick and noninvasive test, they may also use it to help rule these conditions out. A healthcare professional may also order this test along with other blood tests to help reach a diagnosis.
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William Brown Member
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If a person is undergoing treatment for DIC, a doctor may use a D-dimer test to help monitor a person’s condition. What to expect
To perform a D-dimer test, a doctor will require a blood sample.
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Ethan Thomas 8 minutes ago
They will typically draw the blood sample through a needle from a vein in the arm. As with any test ...
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Ava White Moderator
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They will typically draw the blood sample through a needle from a vein in the arm. As with any test that involves needles, it may carry a small risk of bleeding, infection, or bruising.
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Elijah Patel 19 minutes ago
An individual may feel a slight stinging or painful sensation at the site where they collect the sam...
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Mason Rodriguez Member
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An individual may feel a slight stinging or painful sensation at the site where they collect the sample. They do not need to prepare anything prior to the test.
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Evelyn Zhang 2 minutes ago
After collecting the sample, the doctor or nurse will send it to a laboratory. Lab workers will then...
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Aria Nguyen 12 minutes ago
The doctor then organizes an appointment with the individual, where they may discuss the results and...
After collecting the sample, the doctor or nurse will send it to a laboratory. Lab workers will then test the blood sample for the presence of D-dimers, before returning the results to the doctor.
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Dylan Patel 21 minutes ago
The doctor then organizes an appointment with the individual, where they may discuss the results and...
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William Brown Member
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The doctor then organizes an appointment with the individual, where they may discuss the results and any further steps. Interpreting results
A 2021 paper notes that a typical D-dimer blood level is less than 0.50. As such, a doctor will consider a score of 0.50 or higher as a positive result.
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Madison Singh Member
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A positive result indicates atypically high levels of proteins that relate to blood clot formation and breakdown, which could suggest a blood clotting condition. A typical result likely means a person does not have an acute blood clot or condition causing atypical clot formation and breakdown.
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Jack Thompson Member
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While D-dimer tests are very sensitive, meaning they often pick up existing blood clotting problems, they are not very specific, which means they may provide a positive result when no disease is present. A wide variety of factors can cause elevated D-dimer levels, including:pregnancycigarette smokingphysical traumacancerinfectionssepsisbeing olderbeing immobilehaving an autoimmune disease
Many healthcare professionals may consider D-dimer as an additional test. When a doctor discerns that an individual has elevated D-dimer levels, they will request further testing to reach an accurate diagnosis.
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How clotting works and risk factors
Blood clotting is a vital process that can prevent excessive ble...
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How clotting works and risk factors
Blood clotting is a vital process that can prevent excessive bleeding. When there is damage to a blood vessel, it gets smaller to let less blood through.
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Andrew Wilson 17 minutes ago
Next, platelets immediately adhere to the injury and release chemicals that attract even more platel...
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Luna Park 68 minutes ago
As part of the healing process, the body then begins to break down the fibrin clot, which releases p...
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Harper Kim Member
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Next, platelets immediately adhere to the injury and release chemicals that attract even more platelets, forming a platelet plug. Finally, clotting factor proteins work together to form threads of a protein known as fibrin. The fibrin threads then weave over the platelet plug to create a strong clot, which allows the body to heal the injured blood vessels.
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Emma Wilson Admin
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As part of the healing process, the body then begins to break down the fibrin clot, which releases proteins such as D-dimer. Factors that can increase the risk of developing a blood clot can include:obesitypregnancybeing immobilesmokingoral contraceptivescertain cancerstraumacertain surgeriesolder agefamily history of blood clotschronic inflammatory diseasesdiabeteshypertensionhigh cholesterol
Summary
D-dimer is a blood test that can detect proteins present after the formation and breakdown of a blood clot. It can help doctors diagnose coagulation conditions that may affect blood clotting.
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Thomas Anderson Member
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While the test is quick, noninvasive, and sensitive, it is also not very specific. This means that while it can be a useful test in the diagnostic process, a doctor will request other tests to help them reach an accurate diagnosis.
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Brandon Kumar 21 minutes ago
Last medically reviewed on June 6, 2022Blood / HematologyMedical Devices / Diagnostics 12 sourcescol...
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Lucas Martinez 21 minutes ago
You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial ...
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Last medically reviewed on June 6, 2022Blood / HematologyMedical Devices / Diagnostics 12 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles.
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You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial ...
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You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Blood clots. (n.d.).
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Ella Rodriguez 5 minutes ago
https://www.hematology.org/education/patients/blood-clotsBounds, E. J., et al. (2021)....
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Daniel Kumar 3 minutes ago
D dimer. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK431064/Costello, R....
https://www.hog.org/handbook/section/1/understanding-how-blood-worksWaheed, S. M., et al. (2021)....
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Sophie Martin Member
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Pulmonary embolism [Fact sheet]. https://www.thoracic.org/patients/patient-resources/resources/pulmonary-embolism.pdfUnderstanding how blood works. (n.d.).
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Sophie Martin 5 minutes ago
https://www.hog.org/handbook/section/1/understanding-how-blood-worksWaheed, S. M., et al. (2021)....
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Amelia Singh Moderator
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https://www.hog.org/handbook/section/1/understanding-how-blood-worksWaheed, S. M., et al. (2021).
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Isabella Johnson 64 minutes ago
Deep vein thrombosis.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507708/FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Ang...
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Joseph Kim Member
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Deep vein thrombosis.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507708/FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Angelica Balingit, MD — By Mathieu Rees on June 6, 2022
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