NATURAL MEDICINES & FAMILY PRACTICE
David Overton, PA-C 1315 Ruddell Rd. SE Lacey, WA
360-357-8054 website: natmeds.net
D-Dimer
D-dimer is formed from the degradation of fibrin. It’s an indicator of treatable coagulation (clotting) problems and/or treatable acute or chronic immune problems. Immune problems and/or the entire cycle of coagulation caused d-dimer levels to increase. The coagulation cycle is very complex but involves fibrinogen, fibrin, von Willebrand’s factor, Factor V Leyden, platelets and other hard to understand labs and factors. When d-dimer is abnormal, these other factors should be tested.
There is a sequence of treatable problems that need to be considered, then diagnosed and managed when d-dimer is abnormal. These include:
• Infections
• Systemic inflammation (internal inflammation is often“silent” and not obvious to patients)
• Blood clots – especially deep vein thrombosis (clots) or pulmonary (lung) embolism (clot). If suspected, leg ultrasound or lung x ray and scan should be done immediately. Other blood clots can be present and diagnosed or managed as needed.
• Heart attack – if suspected, ECG and cardiac enzymes should be done immediately
• Arteriosclerosis. (The d-dimer level correlates to severity (the higher the d-dimer level, the more severe arteriosclerosis is)
• Pregnancy
• Digestive tumors
• Other rare conditions
When your d-dimer is abnormal, see me for follow up, do appropriate tests as recommended and recheck d-dimer as instructed to make certain the problem is being managed effectively.
David Overton, PA-C works at Natural Medicines & Family Practice integrating conventional and alternative approaches under the supervision of Dr. Richard Faiola, MD, ABFM.