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What Causes Elevated Thrombin Level?

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Posted on Mon, 30 Jun 2014
Question: I had a lupus coagulation test and everything was normal except an elevated Thrombin Time and I'm terrified what could this mean?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Monish De (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Additional tests.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thrombin time is a measure of how long the blood's plasma, or the liquid portion of the blood, takes to form a clot. This test provides information about how well one particular blood component, called fibrinogen, is working.
A normal thrombin time is 11.3 to 18.5 seconds.
A longer thrombin time can indicate low fibrinogen, high fibrinogen, or fibrinogen that's not working properly. It can also be because of medications that affect blood clotting, such as heparin, argatroban, hirudin, or hirulog.
A longer thrombin time can be caused by proteins in the blood from the medical conditions multiple myeloma or amyloidosis, or from antibodies that developed from earlier exposure to bovine thrombin.
Conditions such as disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) or abnormal fibrinolysis impair fibrin formation and can also lead to a prolonged thrombin time, as can conditions such as end stage liver disease or malnutrition.
If thrombin time is abnormal, additional tests may be needed, including fibrinogen activity assay ,fibrinogen antigen assay, and liver function tests.
Consult your doctor regarding these tests.

Regards
DR De

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Monish De (39 minutes later)
My liver functions were normal.....and I don't believe I have DIC as nothing has shown. Is it possible that I have something that is not life threatening?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Monish De (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Minorly high

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
A normal thrombin time varies from 11.3 to 20 seconds.
Your thrombin time is only 22.8 which is very slightly high and since your Liver Function Test is normal i think you do not need to worry.
If you do not have any clarifications, you can close the discussion and rate the answer. Wish you good health.

Regards
DR De
Note: Do you have more questions on diagnosis or treatment of blood disorders? Ask An Expert/ Specialist Now

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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Answered by
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Dr. Monish De

Oncologist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 2229 Questions

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What Causes Elevated Thrombin Level?

Brief Answer: Additional tests. Detailed Answer: Hi XXXX Thrombin time is a measure of how long the blood's plasma, or the liquid portion of the blood, takes to form a clot. This test provides information about how well one particular blood component, called fibrinogen, is working. A normal thrombin time is 11.3 to 18.5 seconds. A longer thrombin time can indicate low fibrinogen, high fibrinogen, or fibrinogen that's not working properly. It can also be because of medications that affect blood clotting, such as heparin, argatroban, hirudin, or hirulog. A longer thrombin time can be caused by proteins in the blood from the medical conditions multiple myeloma or amyloidosis, or from antibodies that developed from earlier exposure to bovine thrombin. Conditions such as disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) or abnormal fibrinolysis impair fibrin formation and can also lead to a prolonged thrombin time, as can conditions such as end stage liver disease or malnutrition. If thrombin time is abnormal, additional tests may be needed, including fibrinogen activity assay ,fibrinogen antigen assay, and liver function tests. Consult your doctor regarding these tests. Regards DR De