One of the various blood coagulation tests, an APTT test, is done to check how long it takes a person’s blood to form a clot. This test helps doctors determine the causes of delay in blood clots and bleeding disorders. The APTT test procedure is also carried out for diagnosing recurring miscarriages and antiphospholipid syndrome.
When the blood vessels in the body are damaged, certain proteins in the blood, also known as clotting factors, come together to form blood clots and prevent bleeding. The body makes diverse clotting factors, and if any of them is broken or missing, it can affect the time it takes the blood clot to form. Deficiency or low level of clotting factors can stop a blood clot from forming. A lack of clotting factors can worsen the ailments with symptoms like easy bruising, persistent nosebleeds, and excessive bleeding. A normal range for the body to develop blood clots to stop the bleeding is around 21 to 35 seconds, and the APTT blood test is used to check how well these clotting factors are working. The test is used with some other tests to monitor clotting factors. In addition, a citrate plasma test can be done to evaluate coagulation and platelet function.
When is the APTT Test Prescribed?
Doctors often order this test to detect the cause of excessive or prolonged bleeding and how clotting factors are working. Some of the signs and symptoms that can make the doctor order an APTT blood test and check the PTT normal range include:
- Easy bruising
- Blood in the urine
- A blood clot in an artery
- Cases of multiple miscarriages in women
- Frequent or heavy nosebleeds
- swollen and painful joints (due to bleeding in joints)
- Heavy or prolonged menstrual periods
- A liver disease which can cause issues with blood clotting
Doctors also use this test to check whether the blood clots normal before a patient go in for surgery. The APTT test is also used to observe people receiving heparin treatment. Heparin is a blood thinner that aids prevent risky blood clots. Doctors may also prescribe a citrate plasma d dimer test to determine if the person has a blood clotting disorder.
Preparation for the APTT Test
It is a simple blood test that does not need any special preparation. However, one needs to inform the doctors about medications, vitamins, over-the-counter medicines, illegal drugs, or supplements that they are consuming. Some of these factors, especially some common medicines have blood thinners, and they might affect the APTT test result.
Time Required for Test Report + Next Steps
After you have checked the price for the APTT test, booking can be done online from Max Lab. After sample collection for the APTT test, the report is generated the same day, and on the next day if the sample is taken after 2 PM. You can collect the report from Max Lab or download it from its website.
The APTT test tells how many seconds it took the blood clot to form. This PT (partial thromboplastin time) is above or below the normal range. If the blood clots within the normal time range, it rules out the chances of bleeding disorder. However, if the blood does not clot within a certain time limit, there may be the possibility of liver disease, bleeding disorders, or any other issues. The next step will be towards the right treatment as advised by your doctor.