Blood Clotting Profile Test (Coagulation Panel)

A blood clotting profile test, also known as a coagulation panel or clotting factors test, is a group of laboratory tests that are used to assess the body's ability to form blood clots and to diagnose bleeding or clotting disorders.

The tests included in a blood clotting profile may vary depending on the healthcare provider's specific concerns, but they may include:

1. Prothrombin Time (PT): This test measures the time it takes for a blood clot to form after a substance called thromboplastin is added to the blood. PT is used to monitor the effectiveness of warfarin therapy and to diagnose bleeding disorders such as liver disease.
2. Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT): This test measures the time it takes for a blood clot to form after a substance called an activator is added to the blood. aPTT is used to monitor heparin therapy and to diagnose bleeding disorders such as haemophilia.
3. Thrombin Time (TT): This test measures the time it takes for fibrinogen, a protein necessary for blood clotting, to be converted to fibrin. TT is used to diagnose and monitor bleeding disorders such as dysfibrinogenemia.
4. Fibrinogen Level: This test measures the level of fibrinogen in the blood. Fibrinogen is a protein that is essential for blood clotting, and low levels can indicate a bleeding disorder.
5. D-dimer Test: This test measures the level of D-dimer, a protein that is produced when a blood clot is broken down. D-dimer is used to diagnose and monitor blood clots.
6. Platelet Count: This test measures the number of platelets in the blood. Platelets are cells that are essential for blood clotting, and low platelet counts can indicate a bleeding disorder.

It's important to note that these tests are just part of the evaluation for bleeding or clotting disorders. Further testing and evaluation by a healthcare provider are necessary for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.