How to test for prothrombin

A blood test for prothrombin (prothrombin time) is a widely used screening test. It is carried out to assess clotting of the plasma activity of the clotting factor, for the analysis of disorders of the hemostatic system, to determine the effectiveness of treatment with indirect anticoagulants.

A blood test for prothrombin: how to pass

Called the prothrombin complex protein formed in the liver. The quantity concludes about how the system of blood coagulation. To the result of the analysis was informative, the blood need to take on an empty stomach, preferably in the morning, between eight to eleven hours.

Before blood sampling must be at least eight and no more than fourteen hours after the last meal. At this time you can only drink water. The day before the analysis we need to limit fried and fatty foods, and stop drinking alcohol, you need to avoid heavy physical exertion. For half an hour before the test to exclude the emotional and physical stress. You can't smoke within half an hour before blood sampling.

Blood sampling should be carried out before the start of medication and no earlier than one to two weeks after their cancellation. If their application cannot be undone, in the direction of the study physician must specify which medications the patient is taking and in what doses.

Blood is taken from a vein, it is collected in a test tube containing the sodium citrate. Then gently stirred and put in a centrifuge to separate blood cells from plasma. Then in a test tube add tissue factor and do the analysis.

That means the result of a blood test for prothrombin

In normal level of prothrombin in the blood should be 78-142%. There are several types of laboratory tests for prothrombin: prothrombin time analysis prothrombin Quick, prothrombin index. A blood test for prothrombin time reflects the clotting time of blood plasma, measured in seconds. Analysis of prothrombin Quick reflects the content of prothrombin in percentage. The prothrombin index expressed in prothrombin time of a healthy person in relation to the prothrombin time of the patient.

Increased level of this protein is observed during pregnancy in the last months, at the initial stage of thrombosis in polycythemia (increased blood viscosity due to the production of too many red blood cells), malignant tumors during the period of taking aspirin, barbiturates, oral contraceptives, corticosteroids.

Too low prothrombin may be a symptom of the following diseases: leukemia, liver cirrhosis, acute and chronic hepatitis, lowering of the blood fibrinogen, disseminated intravascular coagulation, blood high level of heparin, the lack of one of factors of the prothrombin complex.