In order to promptly identify the presence of pathologies in the body, it is worth paying attention to how quickly the blood clots when a cut occurs.
If the blood is quite difficult to stop, then you need to take the appropriate test and establish the cause of what is happening.
It is strictly forbidden to take any medications that can change blood viscosity. Only a doctor has the right to prescribe this type of treatment based on the results of the study.
Thus, prothrombin, the norm of which depends on the research method, shows the ability of blood to coagulate and form blood clots. This property is extremely important, as it provides protection during operations or injuries accompanied by a violation of the integrity of parts of the body.
Prothrombin test (PT, % according to Quick, INR/INR)
Warfarin blocks the synthesis of vitamin K-dependent blood clotting factors in the liver, namely factors II, VII, IX and X. The concentration of these components in the blood decreases, and the clotting process slows down. The optimal anticoagulant effect is observed on the 3rd - 5th day from the start of use of the drug. Warfarin wears off 3 to 5 days after the last dose. The drug is almost completely absorbed from gastrointestinal tract. While taking oral anticoagulants, the INR should be monitored every 3 days. After stable achievement of the recommended therapeutic INR level, switch to once a month. The frequency of INR determinations should be increased with the introduction of new drugs that could affect the effectiveness of anticoagulation, changes in clinical picture, switching to a new batch of the drug. Critical INR values >
Indications for use
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II,V, VII, X.
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Interpretation of results
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Description:
Prothrombin is a protein, one of the most important factors blood coagulation system (factor II), a precursor of thrombin, which stimulates the transition of fibrinogen to fibrin. Prothrombin is synthesized in the liver with the participation of vitamin K, therefore, liver diseases leading to disruption of protein synthesizing function and gastrointestinal tract (primarily intestines), leading to disruption of vitamin K synthesis, affect the results of the prothrombin test.
The prothrombin test is a screening laboratory test that simulates the extrinsic pathway of blood coagulation: this is the clotting time of recalcified plasma after the addition of tissue thromboplastin of a certain sensitivity to the deficiency of prothrombin complex factors (factors V, VII, X and prothrombin itself - factor II) and Ca ions. The test is used to assess the presence of deficiency of prothrombin complex factors and external path coagulation or coagulation inhibitors, monitoring the intake of indirect anticoagulants and, as an additional test, assessing the protein-synthesizing function of the liver.
The results of a prothrombin test can be presented in various forms. In ML "Sinevo" results are issued in following forms:
- Prothrombin time (PT), in seconds, reflects the clotting time of plasma after the addition of thromboplastin-calcium mixture. Depends on the activity of the thromboplastin used, so it is incorrect to compare absolute values obtained in different laboratories.
- % prothrombin according to Quick. In 1935, A. Quik proposed to evaluate the activity of prothrombin as a percentage: the patient's PT is compared with a calibration graph of the control plasma PT. The principle of constructing this calibration graph is the dependence of PT on the % content of prothrombin complex factors. That's why this form prothrombin time is expressed in %. Today, this form is recognized throughout the world, is more standardized, compared to the prothrombin index, and has a higher diagnostic sensitivity to factor deficiency in the area of low values. It must be taken into account that a direct correlation between the results of the prothrombin index and % prothrombin according to Quick will be observed only in the range of normal values: as the activity of the prothrombin complex decreases, an increasing difference will be noted. ML "Sinevo" does not determine the prothrombin index (the ratio of the clotting time of the control plasma to the clotting time of the patient's plasma, expressed in %), because this indicator does not reflect the sensitivity of the thromboplastin used and does not coincide with the Quick % values, especially in the area of low values, which are most critical for clinical practice, does not allow comparison of results made in different time even in the same laboratory, because does not take into account thromboplastin sensitivity.
- INR (International Normalized Ratio), Latin abbreviation INR (International Normalized Ratio) is a standardized way of presenting the results of a prothrombin test, specially developed and recommended for monitoring therapy indirect anticoagulants WHO Expert Committee, International Committee on Thrombosis and Hemostasis and International Committee for Standardization in Hematology.
INR is calculated using the formula:
INR (INR) = (Patient's Prothrombin Time / Normal Mean Prothrombin Time) x ISI,
where ISI (International Sensitivity Index of thromboplastin), also known as MICH (International Sensitivity Index) is an indicator of the sensitivity of the thromboplastin used, standardizing it relative to the international standard. The ISI values of thromboplastins used worldwide range between 1 and 3, and are also set by test system manufacturers for each batch of reagents. Thromboplastins are used in ML "Sinevo" high sensitivity(MIH about 1.0).
INR is a mathematical correction that standardizes prothrombin time measured using various thromboplastins that have different sensitivities. The optimal INR limits that should be achieved during treatment with indirect anticoagulants depend on the therapeutic goals and are determined by the attending physician. INR (INR) = 2.0-3.0 is observed in most clinical cases(primary and secondary prevention thrombosis, prevention of systemic embolism in patients with atrial fibrillation and etc.).
INR (INR) = 2.5 -- 3.5 are observed with recurrent deep vein thrombosis (two or more cases), recurrent systemic embolism, installed mechanical heart valves, etc.
Warfarin blocks the synthesis of vitamin K-dependent blood clotting factors in the liver, namely factors II, VII, IX and X. The concentration of these components in the blood decreases, and the clotting process slows down. The optimal anticoagulant effect is observed on the 3rd - 5th day from the start of use of the drug. Warfarin wears off 3 to 5 days after the last dose. The drug is almost completely absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. While taking oral anticoagulants, the INR should be monitored every 3 days. After stable achievement of the recommended therapeutic INR level, switch to once a month. The frequency of INR determinations should be increased with the introduction of new drugs that could affect the effectiveness of anticoagulation, changes in the clinical picture, or transition to a new batch of the drug. Critical values of INR (INR) > 6.0 are a risk of bleeding, especially in patients with gastrointestinal diseases, arterial hypertension, kidney diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, etc. It must be taken into account that taking indirect anticoagulants can cause the so-called “warfarin “skin necrosis” is a complication caused by the patient having a deficiency of protein C, therefore, before starting therapy, it is necessary to exclude this pathology.
INR and % prothrombin according to Quick correlate negatively - a decrease in prothrombin according to Quick corresponds to an increase in INR and prolongation of prothrombin time. An increase in prothrombin time indicates hypocoagulation, a decrease indicates hypercoagulation.
The prothrombin test does not reflect a deficiency of factors VIII, IX, XI, XII and XIII, and is little dependent on the use of heparin (in therapeutic dosages).
Interfering factors. Medicines
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Extend time
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Shorten time
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- Drinking alcohol, fatty foods;
- medications: vitamin K antagonists (indirect anticoagulants), antibiotics, anabolic steroid, aspirin (in large doses), acetaminophen, allopurinol, vitamin A, heparin, glucagon, diuretics, MAO inhibitors, indomethacin, clofibrate, levothyroxine, mercaptopurine, methyldopa, mefenamic acid, mithramycin, nalidixic acid, nortriptyline, propylthiouracil, reserpine, tamoxifen, tolbutamide, phenylbutazone, phenytoin, cimetidine
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- Excessive dietary intake of vitamin K (found in beef or pork liver, green tea, broccoli, chickpeas, cabbage, turnips, soy, green leafy vegetables);
- diarrhea and vomiting (due to dehydration and increased blood viscosity);
- medications: vikasol (vitamin K analogue), antacids, antihistamines, ascorbic acid, barbiturates, griseofulvin, digitalis, diuretics, colchicine, corticosteroids, caffeine, xanthines, meprobamate, oral contraceptives, rifampicin, theophylline, phenobarbital, chloral hydrate
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Indications for use
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Screening test for assessing factor deficiencyII,V, VII, X. Monitoring treatment with indirect anticoagulants
- Screening for the presence of blood coagulation pathology caused by isolated or combined deficiency of prothrombin complex factors;
- detection of coagulation inhibitors (BA, others);
- monitoring of anticoagulant therapy (INR);
- dysfibrinogenemia;
- monitoring the function of protein synthesis in the liver;
- preliminary preoperative screening of hemostasis indicators
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Interpretation of results
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Prolongation of prothrombin time / increase in INR, decrease in % prothrombin according to Quick
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Shortening of prothrombin time
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- Taking indirect anticoagulants;
- congenital or acquired deficiency of factors II, V, VII, X;
- vitamin K deficiency;
- liver diseases with impaired protein synthesizing function;
- intestinal diseases (impaired synthesis of vitamin K);
- hypofibrinogenemia/dysfibrinogenemia;
- with DIC syndrome (hypocoagulation phase with increased consumption of factors);
- the presence of coagulation inhibitors (PDF, lupus anticoagulant);
- heparin therapy (high concentrations of anticoagulant);
- reception of violations in the process of obtaining blood for research (hemolysis, overdose of sodium citrate, blood sampling from a heparinized catheter)
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- Thrombotic conditions;
- polycythemia (the blood-anticoagulant ratio changes);
- hyperglobulinemia;
- medications that inhibit the effect of coumarin (barbiturates, vitamin K) or can inhibit it (corticosteroids, oral contraceptives);
- antihistamines;
- malignant tumors;
- taking material through the central venous catheter, prolonged exposure of plasma at a temperature of 4 °C (factor VII is activated)
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How to prepare for analysis:
Blood analysis
To exclude factors that may influence the results of the study, it is necessary to adhere to following rules preparation:
- Blood for research is donated only on an empty stomach!
- Before donating venous blood, it is advisable to rest for 15 minutes;
- 12 hours before the test, you should avoid drinking alcohol, smoking, eating, and limiting physical activity;
- Avoid taking medications. If it is not possible to stop taking the medication, the laboratory must be informed;
- Children under 5 years old, before donating blood, must be given boiled water (in portions, up to 150-200 ml, for 30 minutes)
Today, doctors can diagnose many dangerous diseases even before specific symptoms appear. One of the means early diagnosis is biochemical. An important indicator in this study is the prothrombin rate. Deviation from the norm of this element indicates the presence of problems in the body, which, with timely treatment, will not lead to complex pathologies.
Description
Prothrombin is a protein compound that takes an active part in the process of blood clotting. This protein is produced in the liver and is found in the blood in an inactive state. When a blood vessel is damaged, a complex multi-stage coagulation process is launched in the human body. After several steps, prothrombin takes active form and turns into thrombin, which forms a blood clot.
The norm of prothrombin samples is determined during a special analysis, which also determines a number of other indicators important for the normal coagulation process. The blood factor table contains 13 elements, each of which carries specific function in coagulation, but prothrombin is one of the most important. It is number two in the table, which means its role in our body is very important.
Norms for a healthy person
Blood prothrombin analysis is a rather complex study. The difficulty is that prothrombin molecules disintegrate very quickly and determining their exact quantity is problematic. Today in medicine they use prothrombin according to the Quick indicator, which is determined by comparing the clotting time of healthy material with the patient’s blood. As a result of this comparison, experts conclude that the level of prothrombin in the blood increases or decreases.
Normal prothrombin values using this method are calculated as a percentage and amount to healthy people from 70% to 120%. What is what is prothrombin according to Quick? This is a comprehensive blood test. Prothrombin according to Quick is normally calculated together with other indicators - prothrombin index, prothrombin time and INR. Only together can all these indicators give a complete picture of the patient’s blood clotting and indicate to doctors about the presence of problems in the body. Decryption of the analysis is not subject to to an ordinary person and should only be performed by a qualified physician. The norm for women and men of the same age is identical.
The table of norms by age is as follows:
Who is prescribed the analysis?
Not all patients are prescribed a prothrombin test. This appointment is given only to those who need to determine blood clotting functions. Thus, a complex of studies is always carried out on patients who are preparing for surgical treatment and pregnant women. Decoding this study allows you to identify dangerous deviations before surgery that can lead to large blood loss on the operating table.
The level of prothrombin in the blood is important in women carrying a child. Pregnant women take a prothrombin blood test every month. This allows doctors to monitor the level of clotting and, if necessary, make appropriate corrections. In the first half of pregnancy, this indicator in the blood of women may be reduced. This is due to hormonal changes and lack of vitamins. By the end of pregnancy, the level of prothrombin in the blood of women is normal. However, sometimes the level of prothrombin in expectant mothers may increase closer to childbirth. This condition also requires correction to avoid complications during childbirth. For women expecting a child, a prothrombin test is of great importance.
In addition to these cases, there is a group of patients who need to undergo examinations regularly, these include:
- People with poor blood clotting.
- People with liver diseases.
- During anticoagulant therapy.
- People with diseases that reduce vitamin K levels.
Increased performance
Prothrombin in a blood test may increase in male and female patients in the following cases:
- Oncological diseases of various localizations. Cancer cells disrupt the protein production system, which can lead to increased blood clotting.
- Liver diseases in acute and chronic form. Prothrombin is produced in the liver and if this organ works like a clock, then prothrombin is also normal.
- Thromboembolism. This disease is characterized pathological formation blood clots and occurs against the background of increased prothrombin.
- Polycythemia. This pathology occurs against the background of an increase in red blood cells in the blood and dangerous alternations of thrombosis and bleeding. The disease belongs to the category of benign tumors.
- Taking a certain group of medications. Everyone has it medicine There are some side effects, one of which may be an increase in prothrombin in the blood. Before use, read the description of the drug and consult your doctor.
Decreased performance
Often, deciphering the analysis can indicate reduced level prothrombin in the blood. Low prothrombin is characterized by frequent bleeding, including life-threatening bleeding. Most often, a lack of prothrombin is observed in the following pathologies:
- Liver cirrhosis and hepatitis. With these diseases, degeneration of liver tissue is observed. This leads to the fact that the organ cannot synthesize protein in full, which also affects blood clotting.
- Dysbacteriosis and gastrointestinal diseases. It is in the gastrointestinal tract that vitamin K is synthesized, which is directly involved in the formation of prothrombin. Diseases of these organs lead to vitamin deficiency, which reduces blood clotting.
- Lack of fibrinogen. Fibrinogen is also synthesized in the liver and plays important role in the formation of a clot. Transforming into fibrin, this substance forms tissue that serves as the basis of a blood clot. Lack of fibrinogen leads to decreased coagulation.
- Taking anticoagulants.
When to see a doctor
In fact, each person can discover problems with blood clotting on their own. You just need to monitor your health more carefully. Reduced prothrombin in the blood can be suspected if you experience prolonged bleeding when injured, if you have frequent nosebleeds, bleeding gums, frequent causeless bruises, etc. What to do with these symptoms? Only a doctor will be able to determine that your reading is below normal and identify the reasons for the deviation.
ABOUT increased content prothrombin can be said when the first signs appear varicose veins veins, for pain in the heart, swelling lower limbs, numbness in the arms and legs.
What do these symptoms mean? These seemingly harmless symptoms can lead to dangerous consequences, especially after fifty years.
Do not delay visiting a doctor if these abnormalities are detected.
These are the first symptoms in which you should definitely consult a doctor to prescribe a test for prothrombin levels in the blood. Before donating blood, you need to follow the standard rules so that the interpretation of the result is as accurate as possible.
Remember that the length and quality of your life depends on your attitude towards your health. It’s better to get your blood tested again than to suffer from dangerous diseases and undergo treatment for years, fearing for your life. Early diagnostic methods allow you to protect yourself from dangerous diseases and correct the body’s malfunction in a timely manner. Trust specialists and do not self-medicate, because to determine the real reason failure can only be determined by a qualified physician based on diagnostic examinations.
In contact with
Blood constantly moves in the body of every person. The vessels have a total length of thousands of kilometers, and a large total area of the inner wall.
Men have more than five liters of blood in their bodies, while women have slightly less. Any serious injury or cut may cause bleeding and if not timely treatment a person may die from blood loss.
To prevent this from happening, nature has created a special system under the influence of which the blood coagulates. All possible ones are launched defense mechanisms, the wound will close, and the blood will no longer come out of the vessels.
Prothrombin index - what is it?
Prothrombin is a protein compound necessary for complete blood clotting. It is produced in the liver. A prothrombin test is needed to assess blood clotting. The most common and universal method for this - prothrombin according to Quick.
The test reveals the activity of prothrombin in the blood in comparison with certain indicators. This is the ratio of the time at which plasma clotting occurs relative to the same process in the sample.
It is worth noting that the Quick prothrombin test is performed not only to assess blood clotting, but also to understand whether the liver and gastrointestinal tract are functioning properly.
Prothrombin according to Quick indications for analysis
We have looked at what prothrombin according to Quick is, but when should this analysis be carried out? There are certain indications:
A blood test for prothrombin is performed if there is a blood clotting disorder.
Liver diseases.
Because of autoimmune causes increased thrombus formation.
Hemoblastosis, or blood cancer;
Pathology leading to disruption of vitamin K production.
Women in menopause.
Prothrombin time - what is it?
Depending on what caused the bleeding, blood can clot in several ways - internal or external. In the first case, this is due to the fact that the vessels are damaged from the outside. This can happen due to abrasions, bites or bruises. In the second case, the integrity of the walls is violated blood vessels from the inside. This is caused by toxins, antibodies, and various pathogenic microorganisms.
Prothrombin time is an indicator by which you can understand how the internal pathway works in the hemocoagulation system.
Prothrombin time increases as a result of the following factors:
The body lacks vitamin K.
Kidney pathologies.
Taking certain medications.
The bile ducts are blocked or inflamed.
Absorption of fats in the intestines is impaired.
The more prothrombin in the blood is lowered, the higher the prothrombin time will be, because in this state the clotting process will be slowed down.
Prothrombin-lowering factors can be:
A decrease in petit occurs in women who are carrying a baby.
Syndrome – DIC.
There is a deviation from the norm of hematocrit.
Prothrombin time may show a low result if the blood was taken incorrectly or the plasma was stored for a very long time before the study.
What is prothrombin index?
PTI in the blood is an indicator that reflects the speed at which blood coagulation starts along its internal pathway. It is calculated based on prothrombin time. A low prothrombin index is associated with the same factors as a decrease in PT.
The normal prothrombin index for women is approximately 95%. The normal prothrombin index in men is slightly higher and is about 105%. The accuracy of the analysis depends on many factors, for example, the drugs used in the laboratory.
Why is prothrombin high?
If prothrombin according to Quick is increased and its value is 150% or more, then there may be many reasons for this:
Diseases in which the activity of vitamin K decreases several times.
A syndrome called DIC.
Various pathologies acquired during life or hereditary, for example, amyloidosis, nephrotic syndrome, etc.
Increased prothrombin may also occur if you have taken the following medications for a long time:
Antibiotics or anabolics.
Aspirin.
Diuretic drugs.
A nicotinic acid.
Inhibitors or heparin.
Prothrombin according to Quick is normal if its value is approximately 100-120%.
Norm of prothrombin in blood
Below is a table showing the petit rate:
Women and men at the same age have the same prothrombin level. If a woman is carrying a baby, then the level is slightly higher than normal, but there is nothing wrong with that, after the birth of the child everything will return to normal.
Why is prothrombin low?
A decrease in the prothrombin index according to Quick always indicates that blood clots form very quickly; many factors can lead to this:
A woman is pregnant or has recently given birth to a baby. These are normal indicators, after the woman’s body returns to normal, the level of petit will return to normal.
Vein thrombosis.
Blood viscosity is increased.
Some medications can also provoke a decrease in prothrombin.
Prothrombin in pregnant women
Every pregnant woman should undergo a test such as a coagulogram. Assessment of the condition plus prothrombin tests can identify any dangerous conditions, as for expectant mother, and for her child.
Prothrombin according to Quick (PC) in pregnant women is always slightly lower and this is the norm. The thing is that a new circle of blood circulation appears and the woman’s body is preparing for the fact that during childbirth it will have to lose a little blood.
A PC that is several times lower than normal can lead to thrombosis, and in pregnant women, its increase will lead to severe bleeding at the time of childbirth, and it is possible that it will be not only external, but also internal.
Bleeding due to incompatibility of the Rh factor of the child and the woman will lead to hemolytic complications.
In order to avoid this, women are under the full control of the attending physician, and from the 28th week they are injected with immunoglobulin (anti-Rhesus serum), under the influence of which dangerous antibodies will be destroyed. PI indicators for pregnant women are as follows:
In pregnant women, the prothrombin index should be in the range of 80-100%. For high levels, certain medications are given.
With a low PI level, the risk of bleeding is high. Normal value prothrombin time is approximately 18 seconds.
Any deviation from the norm should be a cause for concern.
Under no circumstances should you try to increase or decrease your readings on your own; you should consult a doctor.
How to prepare for the test?
In order to get reliable results, it is necessary to donate blood for tests correctly. Blood is taken before 11 a.m., always on an empty stomach. In order to prepare for the analysis, you need to follow some recommendations:
About three days before you plan to go to the hospital, avoid fatty and fried foods. There is no talk of any alcoholic drinks. All this will be a big burden on the liver.
Three hours before donating blood, you should not smoke, as nicotine will lead to a decrease in the prothrombin index.
If you regularly take any medications, stop taking them six hours before you plan to donate blood, after which you can resume taking them.
On this day, or rather before the test, you cannot engage in heavy physical activity.
It is impossible to take blood samples from women during menstruation; at this moment the indicators will be unreliable.
Blood is taken from a vein, after which it is placed in a special tube with saline solution, is centrifuged, and then a thorough examination will occur.
Prothrombin is increased: what to do?
If the prothrombin index is elevated, it certainly needs to be reduced. People in this category must adhere to special diet, you should only eat foods that will thin your blood. But you need to understand that there are many foods that lead to blood thickening.
So, to normalize prothrombin levels, you need to eat the following foods:
Oatmeal. It not only helps digestion stabilize, but also prevents the blood from becoming thick. It is better to eat this dish in the morning at breakfast.
Prepared from fresh vegetables tomato juice. Many people at this moment make the most serious mistake - adding salt, but this should never be done.
Beets are the best vegetable with which you can reduce prothrombin.
It is simply impossible to imagine a diet without ginger! It is added to tea, or any other dish. Thanks to this, the blood will thin out, and it will also good remedy preventing the formation of thrombosis.
Fish fat. You can buy it at any pharmacy, this is the most the best option to thin the blood.