Understanding Blood Clots and the Role of D-Dimer and CBC Test in Treatment

Our body’s natural way of healing itself is incredible. However, at times, a little attention and care in how it’s working can help keep things in the proper condition. Blood clots play a huge part in our body’s self-healing journey. But when they begin developing in the wrong place, they can be life-threatening. A D-dimer test and CBC test are reliable screening tools used to identify blood factors and determine the required course of treatment.

Blood clotting is the body’s natural way of preventing excessive bleeding. After an injury, platelets and fibrin, a protein in the plasma, clump together and create a semi-solid mass over the injured area. 

Typically, once healed, the body dissolves the clot by naturally breaking it down, ensuring the clot doesn’t stay long in the blood vessels. However, sometimes, clots can form on their own and, rather than dissolving, travel through the circulatory system preventing adequate blood flow to certain parts of the body. These situations can cause serious health issues and require on-time treatment.

Factors and Conditions that Cause Blood Clots

• Physical injury

• Atherosclerosis

• Antiphospholipid syndrome

• Medications such as contraceptives and hormone therapy drugs

• Obesity

• Stroke

• Peripheral Artery Disease

• Polycythemia Vera

• Heart attack

• Factor V Leiden

Blood clots can also form due to prolonged immobility, causing clots to form in the veins of your pelvis, Blood clots can also form due to prolonged immobility, causing clots to form in the veins of your pelvis, leg, arm, liver, intestines or kidneys, a condition known as Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). A blood clot that develops in the pulmonary arteries is called Pulmonary Embolus. 

Medical conditions such as thrombophilia and hypercoagulability can also increase the chances of blood clot formation. 

Your doctor may require blood tests, such as a D-dimer test, CBC test and imaging procedures to detect a blood clotting problem and determine the right course of action.

What is the D-Dimer Test?

D-dimer is a protein that the body makes when a blood clot dissolves. The protein is normally detectable at low levels unless the body is dissolving an abnormal blood clot. 

High levels can be a sign of blood clotting disorder, DVT, pulmonary embolus or disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), which is a rare condition where multiple clots begin to form throughout the body.

Symptoms of Blood Clot

Depending on where you experience a clot, symptoms may vary, like:

• Swelling, pain or redness

• Shortness of breath

• Chest pain

• Weakness and numbness, especially on one side of the body

• Bruising or bleeding from nose, gums, mouth

• Infection and inflammation

The D-dimer test is a well-priced screening test that can help doctors determine the possible reason for an unusual blood clot. Additional tests may be required to confirm the location of the clot. Some of these symptoms can help determine a blood clot in the body.

The Role of CBC Test?

A Complete Blood Count (CBC) test is a common blood test that helps measure the counts of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets, the concentration of hemoglobin, and the hematocrit in the body. While it is a part of routine blood health checkup, CBC test can also help detect infections, immune system disorders and abnormalities in blood clot formation. 

Abnormal levels of red blood cells may indicate damage inside the body, which can be a strong factor for blood clots. Similarly, a high platelet count confirms a higher risk of clot formation.

When combined with the D-dimer test, the CBC test can provide detailed information on clot formation and the risk involved. 

Blood clots are the body’s natural band aids that help control bleeding. However, sometimes these clots can form where they aren’t needed and keep the blood from flowing to the essential parts of the body. Therefore, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately.

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