Lab test · Hematology
D-dimer Test
Blood clot check
- Blood sample
- No fasting
- Report within 24 hours
- Home collection
What this test is for
Blood clot check
D-dimer is a small protein fragment released into the blood when a blood clot breaks down. The level is usually low, and it rises when the body is forming and breaking down clots. A normal result helps doctors rule out a clot such as a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the leg or a pulmonary embolism (PE) in the lungs. A raised result is less specific and usually leads to further tests.
Why a doctor may order it
- To help rule out a clot when one leg is swollen, painful or red
- To help rule out a clot in the lungs when there is breathlessness or chest pain
- To assess a serious clotting problem called disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
- To help assess clotting in some serious infections, including COVID-19
How to prepare
Fasting: Not needed.
No special preparation is needed and you can eat and drink normally. Tell the collector if you take a blood thinner, are pregnant, or have had recent surgery or an injury. If you have sudden chest pain or breathlessness, get urgent medical help instead of waiting for a home test.
At home
- Sample
- Blood sample
- How it works
- The collector takes a small blood sample from a vein in your arm into a clotting tube. The tube needs to be filled to the correct level and is sealed and labelled straight away. It takes a few minutes.
- Report
- Within 24 hours of collection.
What the results can mean
A normal D-dimer makes a blood clot unlikely, especially when your doctor already thinks the chance is low. A raised level can be caused by a clot, but also by pregnancy, recent surgery or injury, infection, inflammation, cancer or simply older age. So a high result is not a diagnosis. Your doctor will interpret it and may arrange a scan, such as an ultrasound of the leg or a CT scan of the chest.
What's included
One test: D-dimer Test, from one blood sample.
Related tests
- Prothrombin Time with INR (PT/INR)The prothrombin time (PT) measures how long it takes your blood to clot.
- Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (APTT)The APTT measures how many seconds it takes for the liquid part of your blood (plasma) to form a clot in the laboratory.
- Platelet CountPlatelet count, bleeding & dengue৳150
- Complete Blood Count (CBC)A complete blood count looks at the three main types of cells in your blood: red blood cells, which carry oxygen; white blood cells, which fight infection; and platelets, which help blood to clot.
- C-Reactive Protein (CRP), QuantitativeC-reactive protein (CRP) is a protein made by the liver in response to inflammation.
- COVID-19 RT-PCR TestThe COVID-19 RT-PCR test detects the genetic material of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in a swab from the nose or throat.
Questions people ask
What does a high D-dimer mean?
It means there is more clot breakdown in the body than usual. This can be caused by a clot, but many other conditions also raise D-dimer, so your doctor may need a scan to find out.
Does a normal D-dimer rule out a blood clot?
When your doctor's assessment suggests a low chance of a clot, a normal D-dimer makes a clot very unlikely. If the chance is high, your doctor may arrange a scan whatever the D-dimer shows.
Is D-dimer high in pregnancy?
Yes. D-dimer normally rises during pregnancy, so doctors take this into account when reading the result.
How much does a D-dimer test cost in Dhaka?
With Mukti Health the price is ৳910, and the sample is collected at your home in Dhaka. You see the price again before you confirm the booking in the Mukti Health app.
Can I do the D-dimer test at home in Dhaka?
Yes. Book it in the Mukti Health app and a trained sample collector comes to your home in Dhaka to take the blood sample. You do not need to go to a laboratory.
How long does the D-dimer report take?
The report is usually ready within 24 hours of the sample being collected.