A protein C test can detect a risk factor for blood clots, repeat miscarriages, or multiple system failure. It is a simple and minimally invasive procedure that involves drawing blood and sending it to a medical laboratory for analysis. Protein C deficiencies can be inherited or can develop over time, and a protein C test can inform the course of treatment a doctor prescribes for a patient. There is little risk in having blood drawn for the test.
A protein C test is designed to help determine a person’s protein C levels. The test can be performed by a doctor, who will draw a patient’s blood and send the blood to a medical laboratory for analysis. It is simple in procedure and can be conducted quickly. By indicating a patient’s protein C levels, a protein C test has several potential medical benefits. It can detect a risk factor for blood clots, repeat miscarriages, or multiple system failure. Additionally, a protein C test is minimally invasive and carries few medical risks.
Protein C is an anticoagulant, which means that, together with protein S, it helps the body protect itself from excessive blood clotting. Protein C deficiencies can be inherited or can develop over time. Protein C deficiencies can be problematic for a variety of reasons, and therefore, identifying deficiencies via a protein C test can inform the course of treatment a doctor prescribes for a patient. A doctor might suggest a protein C test if they can’t otherwise explain thrombosis, which is the formation of a blood clot, in a patient. This is especially true if the patient has a thrombosis in an unusual area of his body.
Sometimes a protein C test will be done if a doctor suspects that a patient has had repeat miscarriages due to a protein C deficiency. Finally, low concentrations of protein C could indicate inflammation and can be one of the best predictors of mortality in critically ill patients. A protein C test, because of its predictive ability, could help doctors identify treatment that would help reduce a patient’s risk of multiple system failure and early death.
Running the Protein C tests is a simple process. A doctor will select a vein on the patient to draw blood from, usually in the arm or hand. The area is sanitized and a needle is inserted. After the blood has been drawn, it is collected in a test tube. At this point, the needle is taken from the patient’s vein, a bandage is applied to the area, and the blood taken from the patient is sent to a medical laboratory for analysis.
There is little risk in having blood drawn to test for protein C. Possible risks include excessive bleeding, feeling lightheaded, hematoma, and infection. Before having a protein C test, a patient should tell their doctor their complete medical history, including any medications they are taking, because some medications, such as warfarin, can affect test results.
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