D-Dimer Test In Pune - Price & Details

A blood clot is a mass of blood that forms when platelets, proteins, and cells in the blood stick together. This is a natural process that usually occurs at a site of injury to help prevent too much blood loss.

Normally, the body dissolves the clot once the injury has healed. D-dimer is a protein fragment that is made when a blood clot dissolves in the body. D-dimer is usually found in undetectable quantities in the blood unless the body is making and breaking up blood clots. 

With a blood clotting disorder, clots can form in the body even without an injury, or the clots do not dissolve when they should. These disorders can be serious and even life-threatening. A D-dimer test detects increased levels of D-dimer in the blood and helps to determine whether abnormal blood clotting is occurring in the body. It is also used to monitor already diagnosed clotting disorders and their treatment progress.

A D-dimer test helps diagnose or rule out blood clotting conditions. Your doctor may refer you for this test if you have symptoms of a serious blood clot or a condition that affects blood clotting, such as:

• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) - a blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the legs.
• Pulmonary embolism (PE) - a blood clot in a blood vessel in the lungs.
• Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) - a serious condition that causes abnormal blood clotting throughout the body.
• Blood clotting caused by a snake bite.
• Thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) - a rare blood clotting condition.

These conditions require quick medical treatment. If you have symptoms of these conditions, seek immediate medical attention.

• This test may also be used to check how long blood thinners (anticoagulant medicines) are needed for people being treated for a blood clot.

The D-dimer test is not typically performed on a regular schedule. It is usually ordered when there is a clinical suspicion of a blood clotting disorder or to monitor treatment and disease progression in patients with known clotting conditions.

A D-dimer test may be used to help evaluate conditions associated with abnormal blood clotting, including:

• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
• Pulmonary embolism (PE)
• Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
• Stroke
• Thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) 

Sometimes the D-dimer test can be positive in people without clotting problems. This can happen:

• In older people
• during pregnancy
• If you smoke
• after surgery
• If you have an infection, inflammation or high levels of a protein in your blood (eg., rheumatoid arthritis, COVID-19)
• If you have certain health conditions, such as liver disease or cancer

Anticoagulant medicines (used to prevent and treat blood clots) can also affect your D-dimer test results.

Disclaimer: The above list is for educational purposes only and does not confirm a diagnosis or the presence of any condition. Always consult your doctor about your test results and diagnosis.

No special preparation is needed for a D-dimer test unless other tests are being performed at the same time.

What to Expect Before the Test

• A D-dimer blood test is usually performed in a hospital or emergency care department. In a non-emergency setting, if your doctor refers you to get this test done, you may book the test with PharmEasy and choose a convenient time for the test.

• Fasting is not required for this test, and it can be done at any time of the day.

What to Expect During the Sample Collection

• A trained phlebotomist from PharmEasy will arrive at your home at the scheduled time. They will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a slight sting when the needle goes in or is removed. This usually takes less than five minutes.

What to Expect After the Test

• A slight pain or a sting may be felt when the needle is inserted. Mild throbbing at the site may also be felt after the blood is drawn.

Note: If you notice anything unusual at the puncture site, such as persistent bleeding, rashes, or pain, consult your healthcare provider.

The D-dimer test measures a single key parameter:

D-dimer level - measured in μg/mL FEU or ng/mL (nanograms per millilitre). D-dimer is a protein particle produced when the body breaks down blood clots. Increased D-dimer levels may indicate that clot formation and clot breakdown are taking place within the body.

Important note: Normal D-dimer ranges vary between laboratories and assay methods. Age-adjusted thresholds (age x 10 ng/mL for patients above 50 years) are used in some clinical guidelines. Pregnancy is associated with progressively rising D-dimer throughout all trimesters. Always refer to the ranges on your specific report and consult your doctor for interpretation.

Potential Risks and Complications

• The D-dimer test is generally safe and involves minimal risk.
• Mild discomfort, slight bleeding or bruising at the blood collection site, and dizziness or light-headedness may occasionally occur.
• In rare cases, there may be difficulty locating a vein or a small risk of infection.

Understanding D-Dimer Test Limitations

• High D-dimer levels are not always caused by clotting disorders. Elevated D-dimer levels also occur in pregnancy, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and recent surgery. Being older or immobilised (unable to move) may also cause a high D-dimer level. 
• If the patient is on blood thinner medications, it may cause a false-negative D-dimer test. This means that the test results show that there is no clotting disorder while there actually is one.
• The test cannot determine the location or size of a blood clot.

Note: Always consult a doctor before ordering or interpreting a D-Dimer test. Never make treatment decisions based on D-dimer alone.

In Pune, a D-Dimer test at PharmEasy is generally priced around INR 899. The exact amount may differ based on factors like the diagnostic centre and regional variations. For more clarity, you can explore and compare D-Dimer test prices across major cities in India.

You can book the D-Dimer Test in Pune through PharmEasy with convenient home sample collection across several localities, including :

• Kothrud
• Shivajinagar
• Baner
• Aundh
• Pashan
• Wagholi
• Karve Nagar
• Warje
• Sinhagad Road
• Viman Nagar
• Lohegaon
• Kalyani Nagar
• Koregaon Park
• Hadapsar
• Mundhwa
• Kharadi
• Hinjewadi
• Nigdi
• Pimple Saudagar
• Dhankawadi

You can also check service availability during purchase by entering your pin code.