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Reference Guide
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D-Dimer
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D-Dimer
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D-Dimer

What's 
D-Dimer
?
D-Dimer is a tiny protein piece found in the blood after a blood clot has been broken down by the body's natural cleaning process. When your body creates a blood clot, it also starts a process to eventually remove that clot. As the clot gets dissolved, D-Dimer is released into your bloodstream. This means that the presence of D-Dimer in your blood can be a sign that your body has been working on breaking down clots. It's a helpful indicator that allows healthcare professionals to understand what's going on with your body's clotting system.
If Your Levels Are High
Elevated D-Dimer levels might mean that your body has been working hard to break down blood clots. This can happen for various reasons, such as after an injury, surgery, or due to inflammation. Taking certain medications, like blood thinners, can also cause higher D-Dimer levels because they help prevent or dissolve clots. Sometimes, high D-Dimer levels could point to an underlying health issue that makes your body form more clots, like specific heart problems or autoimmune diseases. It's worth noting that D-Dimer levels can naturally increase as you get older or during pregnancy.
Symptoms of High Levels
Symptoms of high levels of D-Dimer could include unexplained or excessive bruising, swelling or pain in one leg, chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, or a rapid heartbeat.
If Your Levels are Low
Low D-Dimer levels might mean that your body isn't forming or breaking down blood clots as it usually does. This could be due to various reasons, such as taking certain medications like blood thinners, not being active enough, or not getting enough nutrients in your diet that help with blood clotting. It could also suggest an underlying health issue that affects clotting, like liver disease or a bleeding disorder. However, it's worth noting that low D-Dimer levels can also be found in healthy people, so it's not always a cause for worry.
Symptoms of Low Levels
Symptoms of low levels of D-Dimer may not be noticeable, as this condition often doesn't present with specific symptoms. However, if an underlying condition is causing the low D-Dimer levels, symptoms related to that condition may be present.

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