Specimen Collection

2.7 mL Citrate Blood

or

1.8 mL Citrate Blood

or

1 mL Paediatric Micro-citrate Blood

• Tube must be adequately filled.

Reference Intervals
Units: Seconds

Age Range	Either Sex
All	15 - 20[1]

[1] Uncertainty of Measurement: 4%
Diagnostic Use and Interpretation

The Thrombin Clotting Time (TCT) reflects inhibitors to thrombin e.g. heparin, FDP and fibrinogen abnormalities (low levels, dysfibrinogenaemia) and direct thrombin inhibitors eg. Dabigatran.

TCT is most commonly used as part of the evaluation of a long APTT to check for the presence of heparin, which markedly prolongs the TCT. Addition of protamine sulphate will normalise the result.

Interpretation

• Prolonged TCT is common in liver disease and newborn infants (dysfibrinogenaemia). Clinically, there are rarely associated bleeding problems.
• The TCT is markedly prolonged in the presence of direct thrombin inhibitors.

Also See

Reptilase Time

Contact Information

For further information contact the Haematology laboratory (Ext 22067) or:

Dr Nicola Eaddy	Ext 22005
Dr Peter Bradbeer	Ext 22062
Dr Anna Ruskova	Ext 22137
Dr Nikhil Rabade	Ext 22071

Last updated at 13:09:28 11/09/2024