Overview
What is this test?
This laboratory test is performed on a blood sample to measure the amount and activity of fibrinogen in the blood. Fibrinogen or coagulation factor I is an important part of the coagulation cascade and its absence will lead to difficulty in stopping excessive blood loss.
Why is this test performed?
This test is performed:
- To investigate for bleeding disorders
- To evaluate the risk of cardiovascular disease
- If your doctor suspects Disseminated intravascular coagulation
- To find inherited or acquired deficiency of fibrinogen.
Taking blood sample: Blood sample in adults is withdrawn from a vein through a fine needle.
The sample is sent to the laboratory for fibrinogen testing.
- How to prepare for this test?
Patient is required to fast 8-12 hours prior to the test. No other preparations are required for the test.
- What is fibrinogen?
Fibrinogen is a protein and a clotting factor, important for clot formation. It is made in the liver and circulates in the blood.
- What do low levels of fibrinogen mean?
Low fibrinogen levels mean that you are at increased risk of excessive bleeding because fibrinogen is important for optimal clotting.
- What do high levels of fibrinogen mean?
High levels of fibrinogen mean that you are at an increased risk of forming abnormal blood clots. That can increase your chance of developing cardiovascular diseases.
- How to treat low fibrinogen levels?
In fibrinogen deficiency, the patient receives fibrinogen blood products and substitutes to control the risk of bleeding.
Normal range:
Concentration: 200-400 mg/dL.
- Interpretation of test results:
Causes of low fibrinogen levels:
- Dysfibrinogenemia
- Hypofibrinogenemia
- Afibrinogenemia
- Severe malnutrition
- Disseminated Intravascular coagulation
Causes of Increased fibrinogen levels:
- Coronary heart disease
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Peripheral artery disease
- Smoking
- Infections
- Cancer