D - Dimer Test: When is it Done, Normal Range, Cost in India and More

When you get hurt or injured, your body naturally and spontaneously coagulates the blood at the site of injury to stop the flow of blood. This action of stopping blood flow is called clotting. A similar process reciprocates in case of an internal injury. However, once the bleeding stops, the clot breaks down sequentially, and the leftover products of clotting are present in the bloodstream. One of the clot dissolution products present in the bloodstream is the D-dimer protein. D-dimer protein is a usual component of the blood. Low or normal levels are acceptable and not harmful. 

High levels of D-Dimer protein in the blood can indicate major clots in the veins like Deep Vein Thrombosis (clots in the leg), Pulmonary Embolism (clots in the lungs) - a serious life-threatening condition occurring within seconds, and no prior symptoms. 

This eventual consequence of blood clots (thrombus) can be prevented or checked through a D-dimer Test. Through this article, you will know everything you need to know about the D-dimer Test and its procedure. 

D-dimer Test: What is it?

The D-dimer is a protein present in the blood formed as a result of blood clot disintegration. D-dimer has no full form. D in D-dimer refers to the domain. Since the protein has two identical domains. And so, the name D-dimer.

Clotting of blood is an essential wound healing process that happens naturally in the body after an injury. Clotting can subdue infections, bleeding, and excess loss of blood post-injury.

Once the bleeding stops, the clot disintegrates to form small fragments of substances. One among them is the D-Dimer protein. People with clotting disorders or thrombosis (clotting) of the veins or arteries have high D-Dimer protein levels indicating the possibility of an incoming critical condition. 

D-dimer test is a quantitative analysis done to measure the levels of fragmented D-dimer protein. Hence, it is also called fragment D-dimer test or fibrin degradation fragment test. 

When is the D-dimer Test done?

Some tests help you test the presence of certain diseases or conditions causing symptoms. While other tests rule out conditions as the cause. The D-dimer test can benefit both ways. 

D-dimer Test is done to identify blood clotting conditions like:

• Antiphospholipid syndrome- An immune system disorder
• Genetic clotting diseases- Haemophilia
• Clotting of blood after a knee replacement surgery or knee injury
• During pregnancy or post-delivery
• Certain cancers

D-dimer can also help rule out possibilities of certain conditions such as:

• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT): A blood clot deep inside a vein usually affects the lower legs and other body parts. 
• Pulmonary embolism (PE): An arterial blockage of the lungs when a blood clot in another region of the body fragments and blocks the arteries in the lungs. Clots resulting from DVT commonly cause PE.
• Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC): Multiple abnormal blood clotting conditions of the body. DIC may also result from traumatic injuries, certain types of infections, or cancer.
• Stroke: A condition caused when the blood supply to the brain gets blocked or interrupted. 

D-Dimer Test Procedure

Since the D-Dimer test analyses the D-Dimer protein levels in the blood, it is a routine blood test performed where:

• A healthcare professional will insert a sterile needle to draw a certain amount of blood from the vein in the arms. 
• The blood drawn is stored in a vial or test tube and further analysed in the laboratory. 
• You may feel a pricking-like or sting-like discomfort during the blood withdrawal process. 

The D-dimer test procedure of taking out the blood is done within five minutes. 

What is the D-Dimer reference range? What do the results indicate?

If you want to take the D-dimer test or have taken the test, you can compare the results with the normal D-dimer range. The normal D-dimer reference range is < 250 ng/mL, or < 0.5 mcg/mL. There can be two outcomes to a D-dimer test.

1. Results with low or normal D-dimer levels in the blood - meaning there is less likelihood of clots or blood clotting disorders in the body. 
2. Results showing more than normal levels of D-dimer can indicate a possible clotting disorder. 

Higher D-dimer in the blood can also be due to pregnancy, heart disease, or recent surgery. In case of a normal D-dimer test outcome, your health provider may require you to undergo more tests to conclude a diagnosis.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What if the D-dimer test results are high?

If the D-dimer test results are not normal, your doctor may want you to undergo imaging tests. Imaging tests include Doppler Ultrasound, CT Angiography, or Ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scan to detect if you have a clot or blood clotting disorder.

• When do I need a D-Dimer test?

Your doctor may suggest a D-dimer test if you have symptoms of a blood clotting condition including:

• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) - Pain, swelling, discoloured skin of the legs with surfaced and enlarged veins. 
• Pulmonary embolism (PE)- Shortness of breath, coughing, back pain, pain in the chest, fast heart rate, and dizziness.
• Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) - Nausea, vomiting, seizures, bleeding gums, muscular and abdominal pain. 
• Stroke - Severe headache, dizziness, numbness of the facial muscles, limbs or one side of the body, sudden confusion, difficulty in speaking, loss of balance, trouble walking. 

• How long does it take to get the results of a D-dimer test?

A D-Dimer test is a routine blood test. The analysis of the D-Dimer protein in the collected blood sample and processing may take 24 to 48 hours from the sample collection time. 

• What is the cost of a D-dimer test in India?

The cost of a D-dimer test in India varies between diagnostic centres. The cost of D Dimer test with Redcliffe Labs is just Rs 1050.

Conclusion

Your doctor may recommend the D-Dimer test to check the blood clot status and rule out blood clotting conditions. D-dimer, a protein formed after a clot fragmentation, if present higher than the normal range, indicates serious health conditions. The D-dimer test at Redcliffe Labs includes a two-test combo - one is D-dimer protein test and second is Immunoglobulin-6 (IL-6). Redcliffe labs deliver reports as per the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories International Organisation for Standardisation (NABL ISO) guidelines. 

We also have privileged services like free home sample collection and zero-cost consultation with the in-house doctor making it one of the most prominent diagnostic service centres.