Thrombin time Test
Thrombin time Test
When you have an injury or surgery, blood clotting is necessary to help stop the bleeding. Clotting factors are proteins found in blood that aid in stopping bleeding. Thrombin is one such enzyme involved in the blood coagulation process. It has both procoagulant and anticoagulant effects. Clotting of the blood is caused by the blood enzyme thrombin, which reacts with the clotting factor fibrinogen to generate fibrin. Additionally, thrombin plays a crucial role in fixing blood vessel inflammation or damage.
What is the thrombin time test used for?
Thrombin time is a simple screening coagulation test. It evaluates the production of fibrin from fibrinogen in plasma, after adding a thrombin reagent. The fibrin clot formation time in the blood sample is analyzed, and it helps in identifying the reason for the heavy bleeding or inappropriate blood clot formation. The test can assist in the diagnosis of issues such as
Diseases involving fibrin formation and other fibrinogen abnormalities
Liver diseases and cancer
Renal cancer (Kidney)
A condition called disseminated intravascular coagulation occurs when the body consumes more fibrinogen.
Some medication can also prolong the thrombin time, such as • Heparin • Warfarin • Argatroban • Bivalirudin
Symptoms of low thrombin level The symptoms include
Excessive bruises or bleeding
Blood clot formation
Deep vein thrombosis (blood clot forms in one or more of the deep veins in the body)
Issues related to pregnancy, such as recurrent miscarriages and unusual bleeding following birth.
Test Preparation
Blood is used as the test sample. Blood is extracted from a vein in your arm or hand using a needle. Inform your doctor about any medications you take, particularly those that interfere with the ability of your blood to clot such as Heparin and Warfarin.
Interpretation of the Results
Test results may differ based on your age, gender, and medical history. A normal thrombin time is less than 20 seconds (about 12 to 19 seconds). A 2-3 second increase in thrombin time is possible in healthy newborns up to 6 months of age.
FAQs
What is thrombin? Why is it important?
Thrombin is an enzyme and a coagulating factor that arrests bleeding during surgery or injury. It transforms fibrinogen into fibrin, an important stage in the development of blood clots. When the level of this enzyme is reduced, the clotting process gets delayed leading to severe complications.
How can we know if there is an issue with thrombin time?
To learn about thrombin, the thrombin time test is useful. It is done using blood samples to check for fibrin clot formation time in the blood. A normal thrombin time is less than 20 seconds (about 12 to 19 seconds). Anything higher than this time is abnormal, and it's crucial to get medical help right away.
What other test can be done to detect the bloods clotting ability?
The other test that can be done to test the blood clotting ability are:
• Reptilase time (time taken for fibrinogen to turn into fibrin)
• Prothrombin time (details of fibrinogen and other blood elements that help form clots)
• Activated partial thromboplastin time (information about factors in blood clotting)
What are the medicines that are believed to interfere with the action of thrombin?
The drugs that affect the thrombin functions include
• Heparin
• Warfarin
• Argatroban
• Bivalirudin.
What do my test results mean?
Test results may differ based on your age, gender, and medical history. The normal thrombin time is less than 20 seconds (about 12 to 19 seconds). An extended thrombin time may indicate low, high, or abnormal fibrinogen levels. This can be caused by medications, liver failure, elevated levels of fibrin degradation products, and so on.
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