When attending the general medical consultation, part of the clinical inspection implies that the doctor examines your skin in specific areas to locate any alterations, such as bruises. When it is pertinent, he could indicate an examination of fibrinogen and other routine blood tests, in his opinion.
Fibrinogen is a protein that significantly influences the clotting process; its normal levels can be decompensated, causing clotting to be affected, producing multiple consequences. One of these alterations is the increase in this protein, but very few people know why it is made; in the following FastlyHealarticle, we will talk about high fibrinogen in the Blood: what does it mean since there is currently very little information about it.
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What is fibrinogen
It is a plasma protein produced by the liver that helps stop bleeding due to the formation of a clot in the Blood; it is part of the thirteen clotting factors. The fibrinogen will turn into fibrin, which will form the clot together with the platelets.
When a person is injured and begins to bleed, a process called the coagulation cascade begins in which all the factors are involved, including fibrinogen. The action of this protein, along with the other elements involved, causes the formation of a clot to stop bleeding. If there is not enough fibrinogen, the lump will not be able to form and will lead to bleeding; it can also cause thrombosis, that is, blockage of a blood vessel by a clot.
What does high Blood fibrinogen mean?
The average values of fibrinogen typically are between 200-400 mg/dl and are obtained through a plasma sample. Depending on which cases, the increase above 400 mg/dl of fibrinogen is not so alarming and may be related to:
- Pregnancy and menstruation: This is due to gender since fibrinogen levels in women are higher at any age than in men.
- Liver disease: such as liver failure.
- Infections: These can be mild, like tonsillitis, or in severe cases, it can be tuberculosis.
- Nephrotic syndrome: It is a kidney disease that occurs due to the inadequate elimination of proteins.
However, it can also be associated with diseases such as:
- Acute myocardial infarction.
- Pulmonary embolism.
- Thrombosis.
- Cerebral stroke.
- Leukemia.
- Leprosy.
- Lupus erythematosus.
Finally, fibrinogen concentrations can be influenced by factors that increase their engagement. It can be a consequence of:
- Obesity.
- Hematologic abnormalities.
- Exercise causes an increase in the fibrinogen index in some patients.
- Diabetes.
- We have increased cholesterol levels.
- Stress.
- Concentrations increase with age.
- The use of birth control pills.
- Smoking enhances thrombosis and produces an increase in cytokines, responsible for regulating the production of proteins, including fibrinogen.
Why a fibrinogen blood test is ordered
The doctor may request blood tests to evaluate fibrinogen levels and rule out its alteration when he observes:
- Hematomas: when they are formed excessively.
- Excessive bleeding that includes gums, nasal level, and gastrointestinal tract.
- Blood in urine and feces.
In the previous section, we have already explained what can cause high fibrinogen in the Blood. Still, abnormal low fibrinogen results are usually due to the excessive use of fibrinogen, something that can be caused by:
- A hemorrhage.
- Fibrinólisis.
- Hemophilia A or Hemophilia B.
Some of the risks of having high blood fibrinogen levels are that it can cause:
- Excessive bleeding
- Fainting.
- Dizziness.
- The veins are difficult to locate at the time of the puncture of the needle.
Once the test has been performed and changes in fibrinogen levels are observed, such as an increase, it is essential to wait and perform another test. In case of presenting the same result, the doctor treating the condition, who is the hematologist, should be contacted so that he can channel the problem and apply treatment for the state.
High blood fibrinogen: treatment
There is no specific therapy with drugs that reduce fibrinogen levels in the Blood. However, some drugs that act on fibrinogen production have been considered to reduce it, such as:
- Tamoxifen.
- Steroids
- Pentoxifylline.
There are other drugs such as antiplatelet agents such as warfarin that lower fibrinogen levels and are recommended in people at risk of cardiovascular disorders. Another recommended antiplatelet with proven efficacy is ticlopidine.
As high fibrinogen levels in the blood are a risk factor for cardiovascular disorders, there are some methods to prevent them that can be:
- Quit the habit of smoking.
- Improve the way you eat to reduce weight.
- Lower the amount of cholesterol in the body.
- Exercise.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any kind of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to High blood fibrinogen: what does it mean , we recommend that you enter our Blood, heart, and circulation category.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.