Elevated PTT levels-plz help

[lovelyolemiss 0]

Hi. I'm scheduled for surgery next Tues. However, I received a phone call informing me that my PTT levels were increased. ( For those who may not know; this test allows drs. to see how fast a person clots if they are to become injured) I re-did my bloodwork today. Has anyone else encountered the same problem?? I just don't want my surgery date pushed back.:mad:

[plain 12]

Can't they just start you on a course of anti-coagulants?

[cwm812 11]

Don't get too concerned until your new results come back. An elevated PTT level means that you take longer to clot. This is obviously not a good thing if you are having surgery. It also really matters how elevated the result was. Just so you know, I've worked for a major hospital laboratory for 20+ years. There are many reasons for an elevated PTT, some are very serious and others just mean that something went wrong in the testing process. Repeating the test is the right thing to do. If it's still high, finding out the issue prior to surgery is important. As for me, my PTT also runs 1 or 2 points higher than normal all the time, and I have had surgery and I have no bleeding issues.

Cindy

[lovelyolemiss 0]

thank you both for your response..No, Plain wouldn't want to take anti-coagulants since I'm already NOT clotting as fast...i'm hoping the tests were just wrong because my PTT leves were 10-15 seconds higher than lab recommendations..haven't had a phone call again yet! i'm praying for the best! thx folks!

[plain 12]

Can't they just start you on a course of anti-coagulants?

thank you both for your response..No, Plain wouldn't want to take anti-coagulants since I'm already NOT clotting as fast.

....Der.....I'm an idiot!! HIGH pro times = SLOWER clots. Maybe next time, I'll think a bit before I try to respond, lol.

Once upon a time, I was much less rusty on all this stuff. Many moons have passed since then (obviously).

[Jenfs5 19]

Don't get too concerned until your new results come back. An elevated PTT level means that you take longer to clot. This is obviously not a good thing if you are having surgery. It also really matters how elevated the result was. Just so you know, I've worked for a major hospital laboratory for 20+ years. There are many reasons for an elevated PTT, some are very serious and others just mean that something went wrong in the testing process. Repeating the test is the right thing to do. If it's still high, finding out the issue prior to surgery is important. As for me, my PTT also runs 1 or 2 points higher than normal all the time, and I have had surgery and I have no bleeding issues.

Cindy

Listen to this lady, she knows what she is talking about...LOL Cindy I too am a Med Tech, although I have only been doing this for 3 years. But still loving it. Just curious where do you work?

[cwm812 11]

I work at the Hershey Medical Center. I've had a long career in a lot of different areas of the lab. I've moved into the Information systems end of things now, so I have my fingers in a little bit of everything. I'm glad you're enjoying your career. There aren't enough of us anymore.

Cindy

[lovelyolemiss 0]

lol..you're not an idiot at all plain! thank you, for even reading my post! they had me nervous all day tuesday..lol..last visit today! yaaay!

[savannahsmommie 0]

Good luck!

[lovelyolemiss 0]

thank you very much! had my last visit today..everything checked out great! tuesday here i cooommmmmeee! Lord, willing!:-)

[Jenfs5 19]

I work at the Hershey Medical Center. I've had a long career in a lot of different areas of the lab. I've moved into the Information systems end of things now, so I have my fingers in a little bit of everything. I'm glad you're enjoying your career. There aren't enough of us anymore.

Cindy

Well that is cool. I work in a small hospital near Ocean City Md, called Atlantic general hospital. As of right now I still really like it so maybe as I get further on in my career I may branch out to other things too. And I agree that there are not enough of us either...Oh well