What is D-Dimer?
The D-dimer blood test is part of a series of diagnostic tools used to rule out or verify thrombosis. There are multiple types of thrombosis and each presents a different set of symptoms, though some symptoms overlap. Pulmonary thrombosis can cause shallow breathing, short breaths and excessive coughing. In severe cases, patients can cough up blood-laced sputum. If the thrombosis DVT (deep vein thrombosis), patients may complain of leg pain, swelling and edema. The leg may also appear discolored.
While the D-Dimer test is just one of several tests for thrombosis – it is often considered the most important. If D-Dimer levels are normal that is a strong indicator there is no clotting problem.
Normal Value Range
- Negative Pregnancy Adult: <0.5 µg/mL or <500 µg/L ng/L or <2.7 µmol/L
- Pregnancy Trimester One: 0.05 to 0.95 µg/mL or 50 to 950 µg/L ng/L or 0.3 to 5.2 µmol/L
- Pregnancy Trimester Two: 0.32 to 1.29 µg/mL or 320 to 1290 µg/L ng/L or 1.8 to 7.1 µmol/L
- Pregnancy Trimester Three: 0.13 to 1.7 µg/mL or 130 to 1700 µg/L ng/L or 0.7 to 9.3 µmol/L
Deep vein thrombosis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, pulmonary embolism, inflammation, cancer or disease of the liver, kidney or heart can cause increased plasma D-dimer levels.