Fibrinogen is a protein in blood plasma that aids in clotting. Blood tests can detect abnormal levels, which can indicate medical conditions such as bleeding disorders or a predisposition for stroke. Fibrinogen is made by the liver and reacts with thrombin to create a clot. Low fibrinogen levels can cause bleeding disorders, while high levels can lead to thrombosis. Doctors use blood tests to monitor fibrinogen levels in patients with liver disease or bleeding disorders. The normal range for fibrinogen varies, making it difficult to establish a baseline.
Fibrinogen is a protein found in blood plasma that plays a vital role in blood clotting. Levels of fibrinogen in the blood can be detected with the use of a blood test which can also be used to examine the levels of other clotting agents and substances in the blood. Abnormally high or low fibrinogen levels can reveal a wide range of medical conditions, from a predisposition for stroke to a bleeding disorder.
This protein is made by the liver. When the body needs blood to clot, a reaction occurs between fibrinogen and thrombin, turning the fibrinogen into fibrin, a stringy substance that slowly sticks together to create a blood clot. Clotting can happen very quickly, especially at the site of a small injury. Once the clot has served its purpose, the body will break up the clot or, in the case of a clot outside the body, the clot will crust over and fall off.
Some people are born with a condition known as afibrinogenemia, which means they don’t have enough fibrinogen. These individuals tend to bleed freely and profusely from injuries and are prone to bruising and internal bleeding. Fibrinogen levels can also contribute to thrombosis, in which blood clots too much. Excessive clotting can lead to strokes, heart attacks, and other health problems. It can also lead to disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), in which numerous small clots form throughout the body.
There are a number of reasons a doctor requests a blood test to determine fibrinogen levels. If a patient appears to have a bleeding disorder of some sort, blood work will give the doctor an idea of what may be at the root of the problem. The test can also be used to monitor liver disease, a chronic condition that can cause changes in fibrinogen levels. These changes can be used as indicators to indicate the appearance of complications or problems.
The normal range for fibrinogen is quite varied. Levels can vary in an individual in response to things like blood transfusions and systemic injuries, which can make it difficult to get a baseline. When laboratory results are sent to a doctor for interpretation, these results typically include a “normal range” that provides levels for patients of similar age, height, and weight, corrected for gender differences. A physician can determine that an individual patient’s apparently high or low levels are in fact normal, given the patient’s history and condition.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
