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D-dimer test

Definition

D-dimer tests are used to check for blood clotting problems. Blood clots can cause health problems, such as:

• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

• Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)

• Pulmonary embolism (PE)

• Stroke

How the Test is Performed

The D-dimer test is a blood test. You will need to get a blood sample drawn.

How to Prepare for the Test

No special preparation is necessary.

How the Test will Feel

When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing or a slight bruise.

Why the Test is Performed

Your health care provider may order a D-dimer test if you are showing symptoms of blood clots or abnormal bleeding, such as:

• Swelling, pain, warmth, and changes in skin color of your leg or arm

• Sharp chest pain, trouble breathing, coughing up blood, or fast heartbeat

• Bleeding gums, nausea and vomiting, seizures, severe stomach and muscle pain, and decreased urine

Your provider may also use the D-dimer test to see if treatment for DIC is working.

Normal Results

A normal test is negative. This means that you probably do not have problems with blood clotting.

If you are getting the D-dimer test to see if treatment is working for DIC, a normal or decreasing level of D-dimer means the treatment is working.

What Abnormal Results Mean

A positive test means that you may be making blood clots. The test does not tell where the clots are or why you are making clots. Your provider may order other tests to see where clots are located.

A positive test may be caused by other factors, and you may not have any clots. D-dimer levels can be positive due to:

• Being over 80 years old

• Heart disease

• High blood lipid or triglyceride levels

• Liver disease

• Pregnancy

• Recent surgery or trauma

This makes the test mostly useful when it is negative or when many of the above causes can be ruled out.

Risks

Veins vary in size from one person to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.

Risks of having blood drawn are slight, but may include:

• Excessive bleeding

• Multiple punctures to locate veins

• Fainting or feeling lightheaded

• Blood accumulating under the skin (hematoma)

• Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)

References

Chan NC, Weitz JI. Venous thromboembolism. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Silberstein LE, et al, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 140.

Goldhaber SZ, Piazza G. Pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis. In: Libby, P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Tomaselli, GF, Bhatt DL, Solomon SD. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 87.

Kabrhel C. Pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 74.

Lim W, Le Gal G, Bates SM, et al. American Society of Hematology 2018 guidelines for management of venous thromboembolism: diagnosis of venous thromboembolism. Blood Adv. 2018;2(22):3226-3256. PMID: 30482764 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30482764/.

Review Date: 3/11/2024

Reviewed By: Frank D. Brodkey, MD, FCCM, Associate Professor, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.