Fragment D-dimer; Fibrin degradation fragment; DVT - D-dimer; PE - D-dimer; Deep vein thrombosis - D-dimer; Pulmonary embolism - D-dimer; Blood clot to the lungs - D-dimer DefinitionD-dimer tests are used to check for blood clotting problems. Blood clots can cause health problems, such as:
How the Test is PerformedThe D-dimer test is a blood test. You will need to get a blood sample drawn. How to Prepare for the TestNo special preparation is necessary. How the Test will FeelWhen the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing or a slight bruise. Why the Test is PerformedYour health care provider may order a D-dimer test if you are showing symptoms of blood clots or abnormal bleeding, such as:
Your provider may also use the D-dimer test to see if treatment for DIC is working. Normal ResultsA normal test is negative. This means that you probably do not have problems with blood clotting. If you are getting the D-dimer test to see if treatment is working for DIC, a normal or decreasing level of D-dimer means the treatment is working. What Abnormal Results MeanA positive test means that you may be making blood clots. The test does not tell where the clots are or why you are making clots. Your provider may order other tests to see where clots are located. A positive test may be caused by other factors, and you may not have any clots. D-dimer levels can be positive due to:
This makes the test mostly useful when it is negative or when many of the above causes can be ruled out. RisksVeins vary in size from one person to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others. Risks of having blood drawn are slight, but may include:
ReferencesChan NC, Weitz JI. Venous thromboembolism. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Silberstein LE, et al, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 140. Goldhaber SZ, Piazza G. Pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis. In: Libby, P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Tomaselli, GF, Bhatt DL, Solomon SD. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 87. Kabrhel C. Pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 74. Lim W, Le Gal G, Bates SM, et al. American Society of Hematology 2018 guidelines for management of venous thromboembolism: diagnosis of venous thromboembolism. Blood Adv. 2018;2(22):3226-3256. PMID: 30482764 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30482764/. | |
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Review Date: 3/11/2024 Reviewed By: Frank D. Brodkey, MD, FCCM, Associate Professor, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. | |
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