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What Are The Causes Other Than Presence Of Clots For The High Values Of The D-Dimer Tests?
Question: I have had several D-Dimer tests done within the past two months. They all showed that my d-dimer tests were amazingly high 3.38 EACH. My doctors (cardiogists, pulmonary doctors, family doctor) did extensive tests on me such as pulmonary function, cat scan, xray, catherer and VQ scan to check for blood clots. They all came out negative. I have this breathing problem. Are there other causes for my D-dimer test to be this high? Please let me know. YYYY@YYYY
Brief Answer:
different possible causes
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
D- dimer is formed as a result of the breakdown of fibrin , it reflects the ongoing activity of the clotting system of the body. This means that persons always have at least a small amount of d- dimer present in the body.
High levels though can be due to clots yes, but there are other causes as well such as(1) heart disease,
(2)liver disease, cancer,
(3)inflammation eg autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis or also infection,
(4)trauma,
(5)increases with age,
(6) previous surgery,
(7)false elevation (seen in a case in a Bristish Medial Journal- British Journal of hematology)
blood tests would need to be done to see if there are any other causes.
Hope I have answered your query.
Take care,
Dr. Michelle Gibson James
different possible causes
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
D- dimer is formed as a result of the breakdown of fibrin , it reflects the ongoing activity of the clotting system of the body. This means that persons always have at least a small amount of d- dimer present in the body.
High levels though can be due to clots yes, but there are other causes as well such as(1) heart disease,
(2)liver disease, cancer,
(3)inflammation eg autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis or also infection,
(4)trauma,
(5)increases with age,
(6) previous surgery,
(7)false elevation (seen in a case in a Bristish Medial Journal- British Journal of hematology)
blood tests would need to be done to see if there are any other causes.
Hope I have answered your query.
Take care,
Dr. Michelle Gibson James
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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