D-dimer is a protein fragment found in the blood during the breakdown of blood clots as soon as an injury heals. In certain blood clotting disorders like deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism disseminated intravascular coagulation, and stroke, D-dimer levels are raised in the blood. Apart from these disorders, the values are increased in COVID-19, pregnancy, recent surgery, and heart disease. D-dimer has its name derived from its structure of two D fragments of fibrin protein connected by a cross-link. An average D-dimer level is considered to be less than 0.5 mg/L.
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Why do I have pulmonary nodules in my CT scan?
Query: Hello doctor, I had a CT scan done yesterday for something else (nothing serious). They did say there was a 0.3 cm superior right lower lobe pulmonary nodule. Minimal bibasilar atelectasis. No focal consolidative opacities and no acute abnormality in the lungs. The doctor said since I am not at hig... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Any past history of pnuemonia, bronchitis, or any history of tuberculosis? Connect me with details for full evaluation and management. Read Full »
Query: Hello doctor,My uncle is 63 years old. He was detected positive and had some issues with the oxygen level so was admitted to the hospital for around 15 days. He was tested negative and brought home. In a day the situation changed and his sugar level was high that it could not even get detected on th... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. D-dimer is a portion of the blood clotting proteins that get elevated during increased clotting states like disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) (or simply widespread coagulation in various organs in the body). The latter gets also activated in this disease, ... Read Full »
I am worried about if my chest X-ray has any nodules of concern. Please help.
Query: Hello doctor, I am looking for a second opinion regarding my chest x-ray. The chest x-ray showed no masses, nodules or pneumonia. I just have a very mild inflammation and an old rib injury. The doctor told me that I had heart deformities, but I already knew about those. Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have seen your x-ray reports (attachment removed to protect patient identity). There appears to be a mild prominence of the bronchovascular markings in both the lungs, more so in the lower lobes. This is not a serious problem and sometimes can occur without any acc... Read Full »
Bruise due to cerebral angiogram cause elevated D-dimer. Why?
Query: Hello doctor, I had a cerebral angiogram performed 10 days ago. They entered through my right femoral and the test was normal. I developed the expected bruising. However, I have now developed red/purple linear streaks resembling a vascular pattern through the bruise. My thigh is mildly painful, whi... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Sorry to hear about your complaints. Bruise following angiography is quite common and usually subsides over time. D-dimer was elevated in your case, so your consultant has gone for a Doppler scan to rule out thrombus formation, which in your case has come out to be ... Read Full »
What could be the reason for calf pain and tightness?
Query: Hi doctor, For the past two weeks, I have been having calf tightness in both legs. I am 22 years old and I weigh around 230 pounds. Nothing I do seems to make it go away. Three weeks ago, I went to the hospital for chest pain and they did a D-dimer and it came back negative. I feel the tightness i... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I see you are suffering from calf tightness and pain for the past two weeks. One reason could be due to your overweight. Other, could be blood clot formation in the veins as you are at high risk for it. Or, it could be because of salt imbalance in your body if you are n... Read Full »
Why do I have increased D-dimer after COVID-19?
Query: Hi doctor,I have the post-COVID syndrome. My D-dimer increased from 0.22 to 0.74 ng/mL in one month. I had a CT scan for pulmonary embolism, but I am clear. I have neurological issues too. Is the increase in my D-dimer a concern? What if it triples again? Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I can understand your concern. According to your statement, you have been suffering from post-COVID syndrome. Your recent D-dimer is 0.74 ng/mL, which is above normal. Raised D-dimer levels may result from obesity, cardiovascular disease, older age, viral infections lik... Read Full »
Why is my D-dimer level elevated after the first dose of my COVID vaccine?
Query: Hello doctor, I do not have any symptoms, but my D-dimer level are very high. I do not have any history of vascular disease, pulmonary embolism, or blood clots. My question is, I discovered the D-dimer elevation three weeks after my first COVID-19 vaccine. Can I get my second dose if I still have h... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I hope you are doing well in the pandemic. As you said, you have no signs and symptoms of any disease, and you have got vaccinated a few months back, and your D-dimers are pretty high, indicating that you have some low to intermediate grade clotting state. And, as ... Read Full »
I have been experiencing knee pain after a flight journey of 20 hours. Please help.
Query: Hello doctor, I recently traveled abroad and it was around 20 hours of flying both ways. I returned two days ago and went to the doctor with some pain in my knee. He ordered an ultrasound which came back negative for blood clots. Yesterday, I worked myself into a panic attack and returned to the do... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I can understand your concern. The probable cause for the pain you are experiencing can be a long journey by flight. Since you are still having some pain and discomfort in the legs and the posterior aspect of the thighs, I would suggest you consult a general surgeon.... Read Full »
I had knee surgery, and my D-dimer level is the same. Why?
Query: Hi doctor,I encountered a motor vehicle accident one and a half years back. My right femur was broken above the knee. I had major surgery, including a knee replacement. I have never recovered. My D-dimer levels have been elevated for over a year now. I do not have a blood clot. Do you believe I have... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I went through your query and understood your concern. Let me explain to you about the D-dimer levels. Elevated plasma D-dimer indicates that coagulation has been activated, a fibrin clot has formed, and clot degradation by plasmin has occurred. There are many causes ... Read Full »
My wife’s D-Dimer test results are elevated. Kindly help.
Query: Hello doctor, My wife has been having chest and abdominal pain for several years. Recently, the doctor asked us to take a D-Dimer test, and the result came up 1.14, and after we visited the doctor, she asked us to take a VQ scan scheduled in a week. I got so scared learning about the D-Dimer test w... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I read your query and can understand your concern. In pulmonary embolisms like thrombotic events, D dimer can be elevated. Therefore, you can have pulmonary embolism as D dimer is elevated and chest pain is present. Therefore, VQ (ventilation–perfusion) scan or MR... Read Full »
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