Blood Tests for Clotting Disorders

This test is used as a screening test to evaluate bleeding disorders. It measures the number of seconds it takes for a fibrin clot to form in a blood sample. Fibrin is the major protein that maintains a clot. Several substances are added to the sample. Then it is examined to see whether certain factors are missing. The APTT can be high for a number of reasons but the most common causes are long-term antibiotic use and viral illness.

This test measures the activity of certain clotting factors not identified in an APTT test. It is also used to monitor patients on blood thinner medicines such as Coumadin.

This test measures the amount of von Willebrand factor in the blood. This helps rule out certain hereditary bleeding problems.

This test measures the activity level of one of the von Willebrand factors. The ristocetin co-factor helps blood cells clump together to form a clot. Stress, birth control pills, inflammation, pregnancy and exercise can cause the test results to show a false high.

Factor assays measure the amount of specific clotting factors in the blood.

Platelets are small, sticky, oddly-shaped cells that are made in the bone marrow. They circulate in the bloodstream. Platelets are needed to form a plug at the site of a blood vessel injury. They are essential to blood clotting.

Platelet aggregation (ag re GAY shun) is the ability of the platelets to clump or attach to each other. Certain substances are added to a blood sample to stimulate clumping. These tests measure the rate and degree to which the platelets in a sample clump after these substances are added.

This test measures the size and weight of the von Willebrand protein. It is used to determine the type of von Willebrand’s Disease.

This test measures the amount of time it takes to form a platelet plug that will occlude (block) the opening of a tube or the closure time. This test is similar to the platelet aggregation testing.