D-Dimer Test: Price, Purpose, Procedure, & Results

What is a D-dimer test?

A D-dimer test identifies blood clotting disorder. D-dimer is a protein fragment (small piece) that appears in the body as a by-product of blood clot dissolution. D-Dimer Test price ranges from Rs 900 to Rs 1800 in India.

Blood clotting is a necessary process that prevents blood loss during an injury. Usually, the body dissolves the clot after completely healing a wound. However, in a blood clotting disorder, clots form even without apparent injury, and these clots don’t dissolve when they should. These conditions can cause serious and life-threatening issues. The high plasma D-dimer concentration signifies intravascular(in blood circulation) fibrin formation. D-Dimer test determines the Fibrin degradation assessment. 

Test details in brief

Also known as	fragment D-dimer, fibrin degradation fragment
Purpose	Blood clotting abnormalities
Preparation	No special preparation is required
Fasting	No fasting is required
Reporting time	24 hours

D-Dimer test cost

The test price depends on the diagnostic centre, city and home collection. However, generally, it would range from Rs.

Popular Lab	Price
Dr lalpathlab	Rs
City X-ray	Rs 900
Janta X-ray	Rs 1620
Ganesh diagnostics	Rs 1200
Mahajan Imaging	Rs 960
National Imaging	Rs 1620
Prognosis laboratories	Rs 660

The table below lists the prices for popular diagnostic centres.

City	Price
D-dimer test cost in Delhi	Rs 660 to 1620
D-dimer test cost in Gurgaon	Rs 767 to 1018
D-dimer test cost in Chandigarh	Rs 924 to 1080
D-dimer test cost in Chennai	Rs 810 to 1080
D-dimer test cost in Kolkata	Rs 810 to 1080
D-dimer test cost in Pune	Rs 924 to 1080
D-dimer test cost in Hyderabad	Rs 1080 to 1323
D-dimer test cost in Mumbai	Rs 810 to 1080

Purpose of the D-dimer test?

The D-dimer test is useful in the diagnosis and monitoring of the following disorders, including

• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) causes blood clots deep inside the veins. These clots are usually found in the lower legs, but they can also travel and reach other body parts.
• Pulmonary embolism (PE) means the blockage in an artery in the patient’s lungs. It usually happens when a blood clot in another part of the body breaks loose and travels to the lungs. DVT clots are a common cause of Pulmonary Embolism(a blockage in the lung’s arteries). 
• Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a condition that generates multiple blood clots. They can colonise the body, causing organ injury & damage that further Promotes serious complications. DIC may be caused by traumatic injuries or certain infections, or cancer.
• A stroke is a blood clot formation in the blood vessels located in the brain. Stroke is 
• Clot formation in COVID: Recent studies indicate that blood clot formation occurs in COVID patients. Some severe COVID patients have D-dimer and IL6 in their blood.  
• Clot formation in heart diseases: The D-dimer level in the body increases after a heart attack. Therefore, D-dimer level measurement has applications in diagnosing or predicting cardiac diseases such as coronary ischaemia. 

D-dimer blood test normal range:

The quantitative D-dimer normal range is given below:

value	Remarks
less than 0.50 ng/ml	Normal and no serious blood clot.
More than 0.50 ng/ml	An active blood clot.

What do high or low values mean?

Negative Report: This indicates that the person is. Normal and the D-dimer range is within normal ranges. This means that you probably do not have problems with blood clotting.

D-Dimer levels are increased in DIC / Intravascular coagulation, recent bleeding, hematoma, trauma, surgical operation and thromboembolism. High levels may also be seen in pregnancy, liver disease, malignancy, inflammation & chronic hypercoagulable state.

Higher than normal D-dimer levels: The clotting problems do not always cause high D-dimer levels. However, there may also be different reasons other than clotting issues behind the increased D-dimer levels in some cases.

Common reasons for high or low-level of D-dimers.

• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT): It causes blood clots deep inside the veins. These clots are usually found in the lower legs, but they can also travel and reach other body parts.
• Increased triglyceride or lipid levels: Obesity, metabolic imbalance, and heart disorders may cause an increased level of the D-dimer. Triglycerides are fat (lipid) circulating in the blood.
• Liver disorders and cirrhosis are known to cause a significant increase in the D-dimer levels.  

How to bring it back to normal?

There are the following methods of improving the unbalanced blood clotting in patients.  

Vitamins and food that increase blood clotting (Coagulation)

1. Vitamin K: Vitamin K increases the clotting in the patients. It thickens the blood and reduces the blood flowing capacity. 
2. Green vegetables: Vitamin K rich foods are spinach, cabbage, lettuce and broccoli. They are good for treating thin blood. 

Vitamins and food that decrease blood clotting (Coagulation)

1. Vitamin E: Vitamin E dissolves the clot, an anticoagulant(blood-thinning properties). Vitamin E prevents stroke and heart disease.
2. Almonds, Avocado, sunflower seeds and wheat germ oil are rich in Vitamin E . Ginger and turmeric also have anti-clotting properties. 

What do Abnormal Results mean?

A false positive may be detected besides the above reasons for a high d-dimer lever. There are following other factors that may cause a false positive test. 

• Liver disorders: The liver may be infected with other conditions. The formation of blood clots in the liver’s blood vessels is known as HVT(Hepatic vein thrombosis).
• If the age exceeds 80 years, the ageing process is associated with gradual dysfunctioning of the organs and releasing d-dimers in the blood. 
• Increased triglyceride or lipid levels: The obese or oversized people have high triglyceride levels. These increased levels may also cause false-positive D-dimer results. 
• Recent trauma or surgery: Accidental trauma such as psychological or emotional shock and surgical operations may cause the D-dimer level to increase. 

Risk factors for developing a blood clot?

There are the following risk factors behind blood clot formation in humans. 

• Major surgery: After the surgery, there may be a formation of blood clots in the patient due to the extended period of bed rest. 
• Heart disease: Heart disease like arrhythmias(increase or decrease in a heartbeat) indicates blood clots in blood vessels. 
• Severe COVID cases: COVID is a risk factor for blood clots. Blood clots form in the brains and lungs of some covid patients.
• Brain tumor: Tumors release chemicals that play a role in blood clots formation. Sometimes, these blood clots can move into the lungs and may cause a threat to life.

What to do next?

Though the D-dimer test can indicate a blood clotting disorder, it can not locate the location and reason for clotting. Sometimes, a person with a normal d-dimer report can show persistent symptoms. Thus further diagnosis and investigation are necessary. Some important tests are

• Doppler Test: This test may detect the presence of blood clots in the internal organs. There is no pain in the procedure of the doppler test. 
• CT Angiography: It is a computed tomography-based angiography. This technique visualises the blood vessels with the help of an injected ink. 
• Perfusion study: The perfusion studies determine the pattern of blood flow. These studies identify whether heart muscles are pumping normally or abnormally. 

Preparation

No special preparation is required.

Procedure

The D-dimer is a simple blood test. The procedure steps are as follows:

• The blood veins would be needle pricked. 
• The technician would utilise a syringe for blood withdrawal. 
• Collect the blood sample into a test tube or vial. 
• You may feel a slight sting when the needle goes in or out.

Sample Report

A D-Dimer report lists the D-Dimer level along with the reference range used by the lab, so you can see at a glance whether your result falls inside or outside the normal range.

Parameter	Result	Unit	Reference Range
D-Dimer	Patient value	ng/mL FEU (or µg/mL FEU, depending on the lab's method)	Typically < 0.50 µg/mL FEU (labs vary — always check the range printed on your own report)

A result above the lab's reference range flags increased clot formation or breakdown and needs correlation with your symptoms and other tests (it does not, by itself, diagnose a specific condition); a result within range makes an acute clotting disorder such as DVT or pulmonary embolism unlikely.

Frequently asked questions

References:

1. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/22045-d-dimer-test
2. https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/d-dimer-test/
3. https://www.webmd.com/dvt/what-is-the-d-dimer-test