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

Age
<=50 yrs	< 500 ug/L
51 - 60 yrs	< 600 ug/L
61 - 70 yrs	< 700 ug/L
71 - 80 yrs	< 800 ug/L
81 - 90 yrs	< 900 ug/L
> 90 yrs	< 1000 ug/L

Uncertainty of Measurement:

D-Dimer 220 - 500 ug/L FEU 26%

D-Dimer >500 ug/L FEU 11%

• The D-Dimer result reported is in Fibrinogen Equivalent Units(FEU)

Turnaround Time: Within 2 hours

Turnaround time 2 hours unless required urgently (1 hour).

Diagnostic Use and Interpretation

D-dimer is a derivative of cross-linked fibrin (not fibrinogen). The current method uses antibody coated latex particles which aggregate in the presence of D-dimer.

• Increased levels occur in any situation where excess clotting is followed by fibrinolysis e.g. recent thrombosis or thromboembolism, bleeding, surgical operations, haematoma formation, DIC, thrombolytic therapy, and in renal failure.
• A positive result is non-specific, but there is a high negative predictive value for venous thromboembolic disease (approximately 95%)

NOTE: False positive results may occur with circulating rheumatoid factor.

• It is useful for DVT and PE diagnosis in the absence of comorbid conditions and as part of a DIC screen.

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