D-dimer Test

D-dimer Test

A D-dimer test is a blood test that can be used to help rule out the presence of a blood clots in the body. D-dimer is a fibrin degradation product (small protein fragment) present in the blood after a blood clot is degraded by fibrinolysis.

While a negative result practically rules out thrombosis, a positive result can indicate current coagulation disorder such as deep vein thrombosis, disseminated intravascular coagulation and coagulation disorders associated with COVID-19 infection.

D-dimer is commonly elevated in patients with COVID-19 and it correlates with disease severity. More than one-quarter of patients with COVID-19 had elevated D-dimer levels up to 4 months after diagnosis, according to study results published in Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis. Researchers also noted that 8% of patients assessed during the recovery phase had D-dimer levels more than twice the upper limit of normal.

D-dimer test appropriately shows the presence of blood clots in the patient’s body, even in lungs, who are having severe forms of Covid-19. In such conditions, the patient may face shortness of breath and difficulty in breathing. A D-dimer test is the ultimate solution in such cases.  If the test reports show the presence of a higher level of D-dimer in the body, it means there are so many blood clots present in the body. The higher the D-dimer levels are, the more further medical care is required.

If you are in the recovery phase of COVID-19 and did not do D-dimer test, do it. It will bring you peace of mind.