A d-dimer test is a blood test that measures a substance released as a blood clot breaks up. D-dimer levels are often higher than normal in people who have a blood clot.
This blood test is sometimes used to diagnose a blood clot in the leg (deep vein thrombosis). This test may be done in people with low-risk of a deep vein thrombosis either before ultrasound or after ultrasound if the results are not clear.1
This test may be used to check your risk of a blood clot in a lung (pulmonary embolism) after you stop taking anticoagulants. The test can help your doctor decide if you should not take anticoagulants anymore or if you should start taking them again.
A low d-dimer test result may mean that a deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism is less likely. A high d-dimer test result may not always be caused by a blood clot in the leg or lung.
Credits
| Author | Robin Parks, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Associate Editor | Denele Ivins |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Jeffrey J. Gilbertson, MD - Cardiovascular Surgery |
| Last Updated | January 15, 2008 |
