Antithrombin III Activity
Antithrombin III Activity
Antithrombin III Activity test determines the level and activity of Antithrombin III (AT III) in your blood. Antithrombin III is a blood protein commonly known as a naturally occurring mild blood thinner that prevents the formation of blood clots. It plays a major role in balancing bleeding and clotting. A deficiency of Antithrombin III indicates the presence of abnormal blood clots in various parts of the body.
Thus, getting an Antithrombin III Activity test is recommended if you have any signs of excessive clotting to detect the amount of Antithrombin III Activity in your blood and to prevent clotting-related complications like deep venous thrombosis, phlebitis (inflammation of a vein), pulmonary embolus (blood clot in the lung), and thrombophlebitis (clot formation along with vein inflammation).
Antithrombin III Activity test is also known as AT III, AT 3, Functional Antithrombin III test, deep vein thrombosis - AT III test.
Symptoms of blood clots:
A few common symptoms of blood clots include:
Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Seizures
Headache
Leg pain or tenderness
Leg swelling
Recurrent miscarriages
Coughing (with blood)
Rapid heart rate
Who should be tested?
The Antithrombin III Activity test is recommended for individuals if they have:
Family history of Antithrombin deficiency
Unusual blood clots in the veins and arteries
Stroke
Recurrent miscarriages
To monitor an effective treatment plan for Antithrombin III deficiency or excess
Test preparation
No special preparation is required before the Antithrombin III Activity test. Make sure your healthcare provider is aware if you are taking warfarin or heparin or getting chemotherapy with asparaginase before the test
Interpretation of the Test Results
The normal range of Antithrombin III may vary according to the particular diagnostic centre.
The results will be given as percentages.
|
Parameters |
Normal Reference Range |
|
Antithrombin III range in adults |
80% to 120% |
|
Antithrombin III range in new-borns |
44% to 76% |
Deviation from normal levels indicates the following:
Lower than normal AT III may be due to the following conditions:
· AT III deficiency (an inherited condition)
· Cirrhosis of the liver
· Nephrotic syndrome
· Bone marrow transplantation
· Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
Higher than normal AT III may be due to the following conditions:
· Kidney transplantation
· Low level of vitamin K
· Use of anabolic steroids
· Bleeding disorder (hemophilia)
FAQs
How is the Antithrombin III Activity test performed?
During this blood test, a healthcare professional will take a small amount of blood from a vein in your arm using a small needle, which is then collected in a test tube or vial. This procedure takes no longer than five minutes
What are the risks involved in an Antithrombin III Activity test?
This test involves negligible risk. During a blood test, one may experience minor pain or bruising where the needle was inserted, but most symptoms will subside quickly
What is the turnaround time (TAT) for the result of an Antithrombin III Activity test?
In most cases, test results are available in 8 to 12 working days. You may receive your test results via email or regular mail, or you can receive a call from the doctor's office to go over the results of the Antithrombin III activity or to schedule a follow-up appointment
What factors might affect my test Antithrombin III test results?
Acute blood clots, using blood-thinning medications like heparin, severe trauma, burns, and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), can affect your test results. So, it is recommended to consult your healthcare provider before testing
Should I tell my dentist about my Antithrombin deficiency?
Yes, you have to provide information about your test results when you consult other healthcare providers because the deficiency of Antithrombin III affects the body’s ability to clot effectively during and after any surgical procedures
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