The D-dimer Test is used to detect the presence of protein fragments called D-Dimmer in the blood. These fragments are formed when a blood clot dissolves and the D-Dimer blood test is generally used to diagnose blood clotting disorders, in which clots are formed by the body even when one is not injured or don’t dissolve when they are supposed to. These abnormal blood clots can obstruct blood flow to vital organs, potentially causing serious complications like stroke, pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis. A D-dimer Test is an affordably-priced and valuable diagnostic tool for patients and healthcare providers. Patients should avoid smoking or drinking alcohol before taking the D-Dimer lab test.

Overview of the D-Dimer (Quantitative), Citrate Plasma Test

The D-dimer blood test is a rapid test that detects the presence of D-dimer in the blood. D-dimer is a protein fragment that is produced in the body when blood clots dissolve. In normal conditions, D-dimer levels are quite low and hard to detect but are high when the body forms and breaks down major blood clots. The D-dimer Test helps doctors rule out certain conditions as being the cause behind the symptoms and with the diagnosis of blood clotting disorders. Having a positive D-Dimer means the individual may have a blood clotting condition. However, high D-Dimer levels alone cannot detect the specific type of clotting disorder or pinpoint the exact location of clots, so additional diagnostic tests are typically required. 

If someone is showing symptoms of suffering from a blood clotting disorder like stroke, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or pulmonary embolism (PE), their doctor may prescribe a D-dimmer test, which they can book online at Max Lab. Here are some of the most common symptoms of these conditions: -

• Stroke: Sudden weakness or numbness in the face, arm or leg, confusion, vision trouble, walking issues, sudden dizzy spells, lack of coordination, etc.
   
• DIC: Nausea, vomiting, bleeding gums, seizures, severe pain in the abdomen or the muscles, reduced urination, etc.
   
• DVT: Swelling in the legs or arms, which may also feel warm to the touch, tenderness or pain in the legs when walking or standing, red or discoloured skin, etc.
   
• PE: Fast breathing, sudden shortness of breath, sharp chest pain when moving or coughing, back pain, excessive sweating, rapid heart rate, etc.

If someone is already undergoing treatment for a blood clotting disorder, the D-dimer lab test may also be used to monitor how well the treatment is working. 

Why Doctors Recommend D-Dimer Test

Doctors may recommend a D-Dimer lab test to determine if the individual's blood has D-Dimer protein fragments. These fragments help in blood clotting, and the meaning of high D-Dimer levels can be a blood clot condition. Some of the blood clotting disorders can include deep vein thrombosis (DVT), stroke, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), and pulmonary embolism (PE).

Symptoms of DVT

• Leg pain or tenderness while standing or walking
• Sudden leg or arm swelling
• Redness or darkening of the skin on the affected area
• The affected area's skin feels warm

Symptoms of Stroke

• One side of the body suddenly starts feeling numb or weak (including face, arm, or leg)
• Confusion, trouble speaking or difficulty in understanding what is going around
• Sudden trouble seeing from one or both eyes
• Difficulty in walking
• Dizziness or loss of balance 
• Severe headache with unknown cause

Symptoms of DIC

• Bleeding gums, nose, or mouth 
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Severe muscle and abdominal pain
• Seizures

Symptoms of PE

• Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
• Cough (sometimes with bloody spit)
• Chest pain while coughing or moving
• Rapid heartbeat and breathing
• Dizziness 
• Backpain
• Abnormal sweating

If someone is experiencing any of the above-mentioned symptoms, they might need treatment for high D-Dimer levels.  

Preparations Before the D-Dimer Test

Although special preparation is not required for a D-dimer Test, individuals should follow these basic guidelines. 

• One does not need to fast before the test. However, before getting tested, individuals should consult with their doctor so they can suggest any changes to their diet, depending on their medical history. 
• If the person is taking any medication or supplements, they should inform their doctor. 
• Since the D-dimer Test is a blood test, one should avoid working out before taking the test. 
• To get accurate D-dimer Test results, one should avoid drinking alcohol or smoking before the test. 

What to Expect During the Procedure

• The healthcare provider will check for an accessible vein in the individual's arm and disinfect the area.
• Then, the provider will draw a blood sample from the individual's vein in the arm, using a small needle. During this step, the individual might feel a small pinch.
• The blood will be collected in a vial or a test tube.
• After collecting adequate blood for testing, the healthcare provider will remove the needle and stop the bleeding using a cotton ball or gauze. 
• Once finished, the provider  will place a bandage over the area.

Individuals can take the D-dimer Test either at home or at the pathology lab, at their convenience.

Understanding the Test Results

The D-Dimer blood results can reveal different conditions depending on the levels of D-Dimer in the individual's body. Following are the explanations of what the D-dimer Test result means:

D-Dimer normal levels: The D-Dimer normal range or level can vary from lab to lab. If the D-Dimer blood test reveals a normal range, it means the individual does not have a clotting disorder. 

D-Dimer high levels: A positive D-dimer (quantitative) blood test result confirms high levels of products of fibrin degradation. However, the normal values of D-dimer Test results may be elevated because of factors like trauma, surgery, heart attack, etc. The meaning of high D-Dimer can be that the person has a blood clotting condition like DTV, PE, stroke, etc. However, the D-Dimer range in pregnancy can be higher than normal, even if the person does not have a blood clotting condition. Additionally, the reason for high D-Dimer can be ageing in people. 

D-Dimer low levels: A negative test result, where the levels of D-dimer in the body are lower than a predetermined cut-off threshold, signifies that the individual is not likely to be suffering from conditions that cause the abnormal formation and breakdown of blood clots. The D-Dimer report indicates potential clotting disorders based on whether the person has high, low, or normal levels of D-Dimer in their bloodstream.

That is why it is essential that one takes their test results to their consulting doctor, who will be able to take all mitigating factors into consideration, enabling a proper diagnosis of their condition and prescribing further tests, if required. 

Factors That Contribute to The Risk Of Elevated D-dimer Levels

There can be many causes of high D-Dimer, some of them are mentioned below: -

• A major surgery or after experiencing trauma
• Extended period of immobility, including prolonged bed rest, sitting on long flights, and immobility after surgery
• Certain medications like birth control pills and medical treatments like hormone replacement therapy
• Recent childbirth or pregnancy 
• Inherited medical conditions like antiphospholipid syndrome and Factor V Leiden disease
• Certain kinds of cancers
• COVID-19
• Obesity
• Smoking

The test results can show positive D-dimer levels for multiple reasons  Choosing a competitively-priced D-dimer Test allows individuals to access timely diagnosis, leading to appropriate treatment for their condition.

How to Manage and Reduce Elevated D-Dimer Levels

If the D-dimer Test report is abnormal, then one must consult their doctor for the right treatment. The healthcare provider might ask the individuals to undergo certain imaging tests to find out if the person has a blood clotting condition and where the blood clot may be. Some of the imaging tests include Doppler ultrasound, computed tomography angiography, and lung ventilation-perfusion scan. For the treatment of high D-dimer, other scanning methods include Venous ultrasound and Ultrasonography imaging.

To reduce the levels of D-Dimer, the following medicinal therapies are also used: -

• Warfarin
• Dabigatran
• Rivaroxaban
• Apixaban
• Edoxaban