Fibrinogen
From Health Facts
Latest Edit: Hector 2014-03-24 (EDT)
See Also | Lab Tests |
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Fibrinogen is an acute-phase reactant protein that is produced by the liver. It is an important component of the "common pathway" in the coagulation system. During a coagulation process, fibrinogen is converted to fibrin by the action of thrombin.[1],[2]
Discussion
- High levels of fibrinogen can be useful in predicting the increased risk or coronary artery or cerebrovascular disease.
- Reduced levels can be seen in patients with liver disease, malnourished states, and consumptive coagulopathies.
Patient Preparation
- No fasting is required.
- Factors which can cause increased levels:
- Drugs: estrogens and oral contraceptives
- Factors which can cause decreased levels:
- Fibrinolysins
- Drugs: anabolic steroids, androgens, asparaginase, phenobarbital, streptokinase, urokinase, and valproic acid.
Clinical Implications
High levels indicate:
- Acute inflammatory reactions (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, glomerulonephritis)
- Trauma
- Acute infection such as pneumonia
- Coronary heart disease
- Cigarette smoking
- Pregnancy
Low levels indicate:
- Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis)
- Consumptive coagulopathy (DIC)
- Fibrinolysins
- Congential afibrinogenemia
- Advanced carcinoma
- Malnutrition
- Large-volume blood transfusion
Associated Tests
- thrombin time, prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, coagulating factor concentration, fibrin degradation product (FDP)
References
- ↑ Pagana Kathleen D, Pagana Timothy J (1998) Mosby's Manual of Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests, Mosby, Inc
- ↑ Weatherby Dicken, Ferguson Scott (2002) Blood Chemistry and CBC Analysis: Clinical Laboratory Testing from a Functional Perspective, Bear Mountain