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In an adult’s body, even 6 liters of water flow. It is the most important body fluid that is responsible for oxygenating the tissues, supplying them with nutrients and getting rid of metabolic products. These are just some of the functions that blood plays in our body. That is why it is so important that the amount and concentration of its ingredients are constant. To monitor her condition, a study called a coagulogram is performed. What are the indications for its implementation and how to read its results?
What is blood?
Blood is a body fluid that consists of plasma, red and white blood cells, and platelets. Each of these components is responsible for a different function of the blood. Plasma supplies cells with nutrients. It is responsible for the pressure and blood pH.
Red blood cells are responsible for the red color of blood. The hemoglobin they contain transports oxygen molecules and binds them with iron molecules. Their connection goes to all cells of the body. Red cells are also responsible for capturing carbon dioxide and carrying it away from the lungs in the process of breathing.
In turn, the most important function of white blood cells is the body’s defense against microbes that threaten it from the external environment, causing infections. When we suffer an injury, platelets are responsible for the clotting of blood that comes out of the damaged vessel. They form a plug that prevents blood loss.
What is a coagulogram?
The coagulogram is one of the numerous tests based on the laboratory analysis of blood composition. For the patient, this mainly involves taking a blood sample from a vein in the arm. Before blood clotting tests, fasting is recommended, but not required, unless otherwise advised by a doctor.
The main parameter checked by the coagulogram is the number of thrombocytes, i.e. platelets, responsible for blood clotting. This allows you to detect blood abnormalities related to its clotting. These include thrombocythemia, which is an excess of thrombocytes that stick together to form clots inside the blood vessels. When there are not enough platelets in the blood, we speak of thrombocytopenia, which manifests itself in numerous bleeding difficult to stop.
However, it is worth knowing that the number of platelets is not the only parameter on which blood clotting depends. Blood contains a dozen so-called coagulation factors, as well as a number of other substances involved in the blood clotting process. Their mutual balance is essential for proper blood clotting.
Coagulogram – indications for the study
Blood clotting is an important parameter for overall health. Therefore, it is studied in many different situations. Doctors order a coagulogram in the following situations:
- qualify the patient for surgery. Conducting the examination allows you to assess the risk of excessive bleeding, which may be life-threatening on the operating table;
- observe frequent, spontaneous and prolonged bleeding, e.g. from the nose or the gums;
- the appearance of bruises or ecchymoses on the skin and mucous membranes;
- the occurrence of heavy periods;
- suspected hypercoagulability;
- using hormonal contraception;
- the patient is taking medicines to reduce blood clotting to monitor the effectiveness of the treatment.
Coagulogram – how to interpret the results?
The blood sample taken from the patient is analyzed in the laboratory. As part of the coagulogram, the laboratory technician defines the following parameters:
- PT, is the prothrombin time. This is the time when the so-called an extrinsic prothrombin activation system, one of the first stages of blood clotting.
- PT normal: healthy people ranges from 11 to 14 seconds or 0,9-1,3 INR (Quick’s index).
- PT above normal: may indicate liver parenchyma diseases, vitamin K deficiency, Addison-Biermer disease, uremia, leukemia.
- Below Normal PT: May be evidence of otothrombophiliac or thrombosis.
- APTT, or kaolin-kephalin time. It investigates another stage of clotting known as the intrinsic clotting pathway.
- Normal APTT: in healthy people, it ranges from 28 to 34 seconds.
- Above normal APTT: may be an inherited deficiency of some clotting factors or too much anticoagulant activity.
- Below normal APTT: may be a sign of hypercoagulability.
- The number of platelets: in a healthy person, there should be from 150 to 400 thousand of them. per mm3blood.
- the number of platelets above normal: may indicate othrombocytosis or thrombocytopenia.
- below normal platelet count: thrombocytopenia, or thrombocytopenia.
- Fibrinogen, i.e. globulin synthesized in the liver and essential for the formation of a clot.
- normal fibrinogen: normal concentration is between 1,8 and 3,5 g / l.
- fibrinogen above normal: may be evidence of kidney disease, heart attack, stroke, cancer, pregnancy, menstruation and taking oral hormonal contraceptives.
- fibrinogen below normal: liver cirrhosis, hepatitis, liver necrosis, fibrinolytic diathesis, i.e. acute leukemia, cancer.
It should be remembered that the examination results should be interpreted by the attending physician. Taking into account the parameters obtained, an interview with the patient and an assessment of his health, he will be able to make a diagnosis and start the treatment process. Can’t use a stationary visit? Make an appointment for a teleconsultation at haloDoctor.pl.