D-Dimer Test: Price, Purpose, Procedure, & Results
What is a D-dimer test?
A D-dimer test identifies blood clotting disorder. D-dimer is a protein fragment (small piece) that appears in the body as a by-product of blood clot dissolution. D-Dimer Test price ranges from Rs 900 to Rs 1800 in India.
Blood clotting is a necessary process that prevents blood loss during an injury. Usually, the body dissolves the clot after completely healing a wound. However, in a blood clotting disorder, clots form even without apparent injury, and these clots don’t dissolve when they should. These conditions can cause serious and life-threatening issues. The high plasma D-dimer concentration signifies intravascular(in blood circulation) fibrin formation. D-Dimer test determines the Fibrin degradation assessment.
Test details in brief
| Also known as | fragment D-dimer, fibrin degradation fragment |
| Purpose | Blood clotting abnormalities |
| Preparation | No special preparation is required |
| Fasting | No fasting is required |
| Reporting time | 24 hours |
D-Dimer test cost
The test price depends on the diagnostic centre, city and home collection. However, generally, it would range from Rs.
| Popular Lab | Price |
|---|---|
| Dr lalpathlab | Rs |
| City X-ray | Rs 900 |
| Janta X-ray | Rs 1620 |
| Ganesh diagnostics | Rs 1200 |
| Mahajan Imaging | Rs 960 |
| National Imaging | Rs 1620 |
| Prognosis laboratories | Rs 660 |
The table below lists the prices for popular diagnostic centres.
| City | Price |
|---|---|
| D-dimer test cost in Delhi | Rs 660 to 1620 |
| D-dimer test cost in Gurgaon | Rs 767 to 1018 |
| D-dimer test cost in Chandigarh | Rs 924 to 1080 |
| D-dimer test cost in Chennai | Rs 810 to 1080 |
| D-dimer test cost in Kolkata | Rs 810 to 1080 |
| D-dimer test cost in Pune | Rs 924 to 1080 |
| D-dimer test cost in Hyderabad | Rs 1080 to 1323 |
| D-dimer test cost in Mumbai | Rs 810 to 1080 |
Purpose of the D-dimer test?
The D-dimer test is useful in the diagnosis and monitoring of the following disorders, including
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) causes blood clots deep inside the veins. These clots are usually found in the lower legs, but they can also travel and reach other body parts.
- Pulmonary embolism (PE) means the blockage in an artery in the patient’s lungs. It usually happens when a blood clot in another part of the body breaks loose and travels to the lungs. DVT clots are a common cause of Pulmonary Embolism(a blockage in the lung’s arteries).
- Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a condition that generates multiple blood clots. They can colonise the body, causing organ injury & damage that further Promotes serious complications. DIC may be caused by traumatic injuries or certain infections, or cancer.
- A stroke is a blood clot formation in the blood vessels located in the brain. Stroke is
- Clot formation in COVID: Recent studies indicate that blood clot formation occurs in COVID patients. Some severe COVID patients have D-dimer and IL6 in their blood.
- Clot formation in heart diseases: The D-dimer level in the body increases after a heart attack. Therefore, D-dimer level measurement has applications in diagnosing or predicting cardiac diseases such as coronary ischaemia.
D-dimer blood test normal range:
The quantitative D-dimer normal range is given below:
| value | Remarks |
|---|---|
| less than 0.50 ng/ml | Normal and no serious blood clot. |
| More than 0.50 ng/ml | An active blood clot. |
What do high or low values mean?
Negative Report: This indicates that the person is. Normal and the D-dimer range is within normal ranges. This means that you probably do not have problems with blood clotting.
D-Dimer levels are increased in DIC / Intravascular coagulation, recent bleeding, hematoma, trauma, surgical operation and thromboembolism. High levels may also be seen in pregnancy, liver disease, malignancy, inflammation & chronic hypercoagulable state.
Higher than normal D-dimer levels: The clotting problems do not always cause high D-dimer levels. However, there may also be different reasons other than clotting issues behind the increased D-dimer levels in some cases.
Common reasons for high or low-level of D-dimers.
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT): It causes blood clots deep inside the veins. These clots are usually found in the lower legs, but they can also travel and reach other body parts.
- Increased triglyceride or lipid levels: Obesity, metabolic imbalance, and heart disorders may cause an increased level of the D-dimer. Triglycerides are fat (lipid) circulating in the blood.
- Liver disorders and cirrhosis are known to cause a significant increase in the D-dimer levels.
How to bring it back to normal?
There are the following methods of improving the unbalanced blood clotting in patients.
Vitamins and food that increase blood clotting (Coagulation)
- Vitamin K: Vitamin K increases the clotting in the patients. It thickens the blood and reduces the blood flowing capacity.
- Green vegetables: Vitamin K rich foods are spinach, cabbage, lettuce and broccoli. They are good for treating thin blood.
Vitamins and food that decrease blood clotting (Coagulation)
- Vitamin E: Vitamin E dissolves the clot, an anticoagulant(blood-thinning properties). Vitamin E prevents stroke and heart disease.
- Almonds, Avocado, sunflower seeds and wheat germ oil are rich in Vitamin E . Ginger and turmeric also have anti-clotting properties.
What do Abnormal Results mean?
A false positive may be detected besides the above reasons for a high d-dimer lever. There are following other factors that may cause a false positive test.
- Liver disorders: The liver may be infected with other conditions. The formation of blood clots in the liver’s blood vessels is known as HVT(Hepatic vein thrombosis).
- If the age exceeds 80 years, the ageing process is associated with gradual dysfunctioning of the organs and releasing d-dimers in the blood.
- Increased triglyceride or lipid levels: The obese or oversized people have high triglyceride levels. These increased levels may also cause false-positive D-dimer results.
- Recent trauma or surgery: Accidental trauma such as psychological or emotional shock and surgical operations may cause the D-dimer level to increase.
Risk factors for developing a blood clot?
There are the following risk factors behind blood clot formation in humans.
- Major surgery: After the surgery, there may be a formation of blood clots in the patient due to the extended period of bed rest.
- Heart disease: Heart disease like arrhythmias(increase or decrease in a heartbeat) indicates blood clots in blood vessels.
- Severe COVID cases: COVID is a risk factor for blood clots. Blood clots form in the brains and lungs of some covid patients.
- Brain tumor: Tumors release chemicals that play a role in blood clots formation. Sometimes, these blood clots can move into the lungs and may cause a threat to life.
What to do next?
Though the D-dimer test can indicate a blood clotting disorder, it can not locate the location and reason for clotting. Sometimes, a person with a normal d-dimer report can show persistent symptoms. Thus further diagnosis and investigation are necessary. Some important tests are
- Doppler Test: This test may detect the presence of blood clots in the internal organs. There is no pain in the procedure of the doppler test.
- CT Angiography: It is a computed tomography-based angiography. This technique visualises the blood vessels with the help of an injected ink.
- Perfusion study: The perfusion studies determine the pattern of blood flow. These studies identify whether heart muscles are pumping normally or abnormally.
Preparation
No special preparation is required.
Procedure
The D-dimer is a simple blood test. The procedure steps are as follows:
- The blood veins would be needle pricked.
- The technician would utilise a syringe for blood withdrawal.
- Collect the blood sample into a test tube or vial.
- You may feel a slight sting when the needle goes in or out.
₹991 ₹1320
D Dimer Test
Frequently asked questions
D-dimer is a small piece of protein, and it appears in the blood after the blood clot dissolution.
The D-dimer test levels also indicate the presence of different types of cancer, cardiovascular diseases(heart diseases), and pulmonary embolism(blood clots in the lungs’ blood vessels).
References:
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/22045-d-dimer-test
- https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/d-dimer-test/
- https://www.webmd.com/dvt/what-is-the-d-dimer-test