How is PTT Test used
for?
The complete PTT Test is definitely used for the purpose to primarily investigate
the complete unexplained bleeding or even the clotting. It may also be ordered that
along with the prothrombin time (PT) test to adequately evaluate hemostasis,
the entire process that the body actually uses to form blood clots in order to
help stop bleeding. These are definitely the tests that are usually the
starting points for every investigating excessive bleeding or even clotting
disorders.
Several proteins called the coagulation factors
are involved in hemostasis and the complete formation of blood clots. When an
injury actually occurs and bleeding begins, some coagulation factors are in
fact activated in a sequence of steps (coagulation cascade) that eventually
help to form a complete clot.
The PTT Test is therefore used to indeed evaluate the coagulation factors. By completely
evaluating the results of these tests together, a health practitioner can always
gain some kind of clues as to what bleeding or even clotting disorder may be
present. It is the PTT and PT that are not diagnostic but usually provide
information on the fact that whether further tests may be needed.
What does the actual test
result mean?
The PTT results are definitely reported in
seconds. A PTT result therefore falls within a laboratory's reference interval,
which is usually indicative of normal clotting function. However, the aspect of
mild to moderate deficiencies of a complete single coagulation factor may be indeed
present. The PTT may not be in fact prolonged until the essential factor levels
have therefore decreased, to 30% to 40% of normal. Also the lupus anticoagulant
may be actually present but may not prolong the PTT result. If the so called lupus
anticoagulant (LA) is suspected, then a more sensitive LA-sensitive PTT or even
a dilute Russell viper venom time (DRVVT) can be therefore utilized to test for
it.
A prolonged PTT definitely means that the clotting
is actually taking longer to occur than the simple and the normal aspects and
may be indeed due to a variety of causes. Often, this is suggests that there
may be some coagulation factor deficiency or as well a specific or nonspecific
antibody (inhibitor) affecting the body's complete clotting ability.