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What Could Be The Cause For Elevated D Dimer Values When Suffering From Pain In Arms And Legs?

Posted on Thu, 6 Feb 2014

Question: I am a 27 year old female who regularly has pain in my arms, legs back and neck. I had a d dimer test done and it was 2500 them had it redone and it was 1900. I have had a chest x ray, MRI and ultrasounds on legs to rule out a blood clot. I do have hypo thyroid and take meds for it. I have also had shingles a few months ago. What could be causing my elevated d dimer

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (3 hours later)

Brief Answer: Please find detailed answer below Detailed Answer: Hi XXXX, Thanks for writing in to us. A recent research was done involving a large group of patients who reported elevated D dimer. A total of 4,346 patients had D-dimer testing, of whom 2,930 (67%) were women and the results show significant positive predictors of D-dimer positive included female sex; increasing age; cocaine use; general, limb, or neurologic immobility; hemoptysis; hemodialysis; active malignancy; rheumatoid arthritis; lupus; sickle cell disease; prior venous thromboembolism (not under treatment); pregnancy and postpartum state; and abdominal, chest, orthopedic, or other surgery and recent trauma that you may have encountered. So you should be evaluated keeping in mind other medical conditions which might cause an increase. However, it is not essential that you should be suffering from any of the conditions listed above. Hope your query is answered. Do write back if you have any doubts. Regards, Dr.Vivek

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (2 days later)

Overall I have not felt completely well off and on for about a year. I am either lightheaded, have musle aches and pains or an tired most of the time. The aches move around as well, for a few weeks it was my upper back and recently it has been my legs. I go to the chiropractor regularly but it doesn't seem to be helping. I am not sure what could be causing these symptoms. My heart has been checked along with MRI and chest X-ray but nothing is ever found

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (12 hours later)

Brief Answer: Please find detailed answer below Detailed Answer: Hi XXXX, Thanks for writing back with an update. A person may have elevated D dimer due to any underlying inflammation or infection in the body. In every individual who has elevated D dimer levels, possibility of any thrombus in the pulmonary arteries must be ruled out. If your chest X ray, MRI and ultrasound is normal then the likelihood of a pulmonary thrombus is least likely. However you should get complete cardiac examination done with the necessary heart specific tests, including EKG, echocardiography and enzymes. History of any recent infections is also important. Other than heart problems, autoimmune diseases need also to be considered. Your muscle aches and tiredness can be due to an autoimmune condition and therefore elevated D dimer levels. As D dimer is raised in lupus and rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune conditions, further evaluation might help. I hope your hypothyroid is under control with medications and regular follow up with your doctor. Hope your query is answered. Do write back if you have any doubts. Regards, Dr.Vivek

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar