The prothrombin time test (PT test) measures how long it takes for your blood plasma to clot. Prothrombin, also known as factor 2, is only one of the plasma proteins involved in the blood clotting process.

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Why is the prothrombin time (PT) test done?

When part of your body is cut and a blood vessel ruptures, blood platelets gather at the wound site. These platelets form a temporary plaque over the wound to stop the bleeding. To form a strong blood clot, a set of 12 plasma proteins, or "clotting factors," work together to form a substance called fibrin.

Symptoms of bleeding disorder are:

• easy bruising
• Bleeding that does not stop even after applying pressure on the wound
• Severe menstruation
• Blood in urine
• Swollen or painful joints
• nosebleed

If you suspect a bleeding disorder, your hematologist may order a PT test to help diagnose the condition. Even if you have no symptoms of a bleeding disorder, your doctor may order a PT test to ensure normal blood clotting before major surgery.

If you are taking the blood thinner warfarin, your doctor will order a PT test to make sure you are not taking too much of the medication. Taking too much warfarin can cause excessive bleeding.

Liver disease or vitamin K deficiency can cause a bleeding disorder.... If you have any of these, your doctor may order a PT test to check how your blood clots.

How is the PT (prothrombin time) test performed?

Blood thinners can affect test results... Tell your hematologist and oncologist about all medications and supplements you are taking... He will advise you whether to stop taking them before the test.... You do not need to fast before the PT test.

For a PT test, you will need to have your blood drawn.... This is an outpatient procedure usually done in a medical diagnostic laboratory.... It only takes a few minutes and you will feel very little pain.... (Read about important types of blood tests)

A nurse or phlebotomist (someone specially trained to draw blood) uses a small needle to draw blood from a vein in your arm. A lab technician adds chemicals to the blood to see how long it takes for a clot to form.

What are the risks of PT testing?

There are very few risks associated with drawing plasma for prothrombin time testing.. However, if you have a bleeding disorder, you are at a slightly higher risk of excessive bleeding and hematoma (a collection of blood under the skin).

The risk of infection at the needle insertion site is very small....you may feel a little weak or feel pain or burning during the blood draw....if you feel dizzy or weak, you should tell the nurse.

What do the results of the prothrombin time test show?

If you are not taking blood thinners, it usually takes 11 to 13.5 seconds for your blood to clot. PT test results are often reported as an international normalized ratio (INR), expressed as a single number. The normal range for someone not taking blood thinners is usually between 0.9 and 1 R. 2 and 3.5

If your blood clots at a normal time, you probably don't have a bleeding disorder... If you use blood thinners, it takes longer for the clot to form. The doctor will determine the clotting time for you.

If your blood does not clot at the normal time, you may:

• He used the wrong dose of warfarin
• You have liver disease
• You have vitamin K deficiency
• You have a bleeding disorder such as factor 2 deficiency

If you have a bleeding disorder, your doctor may recommend factor replacement therapy or platelet transfusions or fresh frozen plasma.

Source: Healthline

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