The fibrinogen test measures the level of fibrinogen, a protein involved in blood clotting.

1. High Levels

• Associated with an increased risk of clotting disorders, heart disease, or inflammation.

2. Low Levels

• Can indicate bleeding disorders, liver disease, or disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).

Used to evaluate clotting ability and monitor conditions like bleeding or clotting disorders.

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC), Factor I deficiency (Fibrinogen deficiency), Congenital fibrinogen deficiency.

Normal Adult 200-400 mg/dL or 2-4 g/L Mild hypofibrinogenemia 150 - 200 mg/dl in adults Moderate hypofibrinogenemia 100 - 150 mg/dl in adults Critically low value < 100 mg/dL Newborn 125-300 mg/dL.

Consistently low levels of fibrinogen may be indicative of an inherited disorder, such as congenital afibrinogenemia, congenital dysfibrinogenemia or congenital hypofibrinogenemia. In these disorders, there is a deficiency of the clotting factor. Acquired conditions such as Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) may cause low levels of fibrinogen. Severe liver disease may also be a cause of low levels of fibrinogen. Abnormal fibrinolysis occurs due to coagulopathies when the body is actively breaking down clotting factors. Low levels of fibrinogen may also occur after massive blood transfusions. Some drugs induce a low level of fibrinogen in the blood. This might not be a major cause for concern. Decreased fibrinogen levels associated with Afibrinogenemia, Hypofibrinogenemia, End-stage liver disease and severe malnutrition are categorised under chronic conditions. Decreased fibrinogen levels associated with Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC), fibrinolysis, and large-volume blood transfusions are categorised under acute conditions.

A sample of blood is withdrawn from a vein in your arm using a needle. Test Preparation No special test preparation is required prior to testing. The usual way to collect a blood sample is by drawing it from one of the veins of the arm. This vein is usually the most prominent in the forearm of a person. This procedure lasts for 5 minutes. Test Inclusions: What parameters are included? A fibrinogen test measures the activity of the clotting factors present in the blood, in which the fibrinogen, which is soluble, is converted into mesh-work-like fibrin threads. It measures the time that is needed for this clot formation to take place. This is influenced by the thrombin that acts on the fibrinogen like an enzyme in this process. Prolonged clot formation indicates decreased levels of fibrinogen or dysfunctional fibrinogen, meaning that the clotting factor is not working as it should, as per the normal requirements of the process. Dysfunction of fibrinogen occurs in the following conditions: Bruises Epistaxis, which means bleeding from the nose Bleeding of the gastrointestinal tract Haemorrhage of the genito-urinary tract Intracranial bleeding, which means bleeding inside the cranium or internal bleeding inside the skull Splenic rupture and haemorrhage in the spleen An increase in fibrinogen levels occurs due to the following conditions: Heart diseases Infections Cancerous conditions Inflammatory disorders Traumatic injuries Heavy smoking Thus, a fibrinogen test takes into account the following two things: Hypofibrinogenemia This means that the levels of fibrinogen or factor I in the blood are lower than the normal range. Dysfibrinogenemia This means that there is improper functioning of the fibrinogen. How frequently should you take this test? This test is not done routinely. It is prescribed only when some kind of coagulopathy is suspected. This test should be performed when patients present with cases of excessive bleeding, bruising, frequent nosebleeds, bleeding from the gums, etc. It should be done when bleeding disorders run in the family because they are hereditary.