Our blood is a complex fluid that contains several other substances crucial for various purposes. D-dimer is one such component; it’s basically a tiny protein fragment that is detected by a D-dimer test. People having blood clotting problems are recommended to take a D-dimer test because it can identify these problems and give you clear insights. If your D-dimer test results are positive, then it means a blood clot has recently formed and broken down.
Our blood performs various functions, such as the coagulation function, which is a vital process that can support preventing an individual from losing too much blood from the body after surgery or an injury to a blood vessel. We have seen that when we get injured or have a wound, our body forms a blood clot by combining multiple proteins together at the wound.
When the injury is completely healed, the body forms another protein to break the clot into smaller fragments, which also include D-dimer. Generally, D-dimer cannot be identified in blood as it only forms when the blood clot is broken down, and it is found in the smaller protein fragments. That’s why a doctor at home can use a D-dimer test to determine a coagulation disorder, which means an increase in the body’s blood clotting process.
What is a D-Dimer Test?
A D-dimer test is a blood test that assesses the level of D-dimer, a protein fragment that appears in blood when a blood clot breaks down. When blood clots break down, they form fibrin degradation products (FDPs), and among those FDPs, one of them is known as D-dimer.
This test can be beneficial for representing the occurrence of raised clotting processes and can help a doctor make the correct diagnosis. However, D-dimer tests are very subtle and can show false positive and negative results. This means that additional tests are mandatory to precisely diagnose blood clotting disorders.
What Disorders Does the D-Dimer Test Check?
You might not know, but there are various blood clotting disorders that can be detected by D-dimer tests. Let’s have a look:
1. Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
DVT is a disorder that occurs in the veins when a blood clot or thrombus forms in the deep vein in your body. It can cause severe complications as the blood clot can harm the valves in a vein. If the blood clot breaks free, it can result in a pulmonary embolism (PE)
2. Pulmonary Embolism (PE)
As the name suggests, it is a disorder that occurs in the pulmonary artery. It creates a blockage in the pulmonary artery, which is responsible for supplying blood to the lungs. This blockage occurs when a blood clot travels to the blood vessels of the lungs and stops the way; this is known as an embolism. It is a life-threatening disease as it can create significant changes in blood flow and O2 and CO2 exchange.
3. Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)
It is the highest intensity of coagulation, which may stop blood from forming blood clots in a normal way. Abnormal blood clot formation can affect the overall blood flow throughout the body, and it can end up damaging multiple organs.
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Why Should You Get a D-Dimer Test?
If you or your loved one or a person you know is suspected of having blood clotting problems, then it is necessary to take a D-dimer test at home in Dubai.
If your doctor observes specific symptoms of blood clotting diseases such as DVT or PE, in which you can feel pain, swelling, and soreness in the affected organ or limb or difficulty in breathing and chest pain, then they prescribe taking a D-dimer test as soon as possible.
Moreover, it is an instant and noninvasive test that can identify any kind of blood clotting issue and help the doctor provide early treatment based on the condition.
What is the Process of the D-Dimer Test at Home?
When you call medical professionals to take a D-dimer test at home, they arrive quickly at your doorstep to collect the blood sample. The medical professionals draw a blood sample with specialized equipment to ensure safety and prevent the risks. Once the sample is taken, it is then carried to the certified laboratories for further testing and expert analysis.
The lab experts handle your sample with care and perform testing on the sample with precision to check for the D-dimer levels and identify any kind of disorders associated with the blood. After the testing process, the reports will be delivered to you shortly, and then you can consult with your doctor at home for further discussion and recommendations.
How to Interpret the D-Dimer Test Results
According to medical experts, the optimum D-dimer level is less than 0.50. If your D-dimer levels are more than 0.50, then it is considered higher, and the test is identified as positive. If the D-dimer test results are positive, this shows a rise in D-dimer levels, which means more blood clot formation, leading to blood clotting disorders.
As we discussed earlier, D-dimer tests are highly sensitive, which means they can show a rise in D-dimer levels even when there are no blood clotting issues. This is not the case every time, but this may depend on several factors that cause D-dimer levels to increase.
The factors may include smoking, diseases like cancer, sepsis, infections, pregnancy, aging, immobility, physical trauma, or AIDS. Therefore, some doctors consider the D-dimer test as an additional test that should be conducted only if a person has clear symptoms of blood clotting.
The Final Words
In short, like other blood tests, D-dimer testing is a procedure that is used to identify blood clotting problems by determining the D-dimer protein levels present in the blood after the breakdown of a blood clot. This test assists doctors in diagnosing coagulation disorders such as DVT, PE, and DIC. Moreover, the test is sensitive, noninvasive, and quick, but it might not provide correct results. That’s why it is considered an extra test that makes the diagnosis process easy for doctors when they observe coagulation symptoms.
