AN OVERVIEW
About Protein C Antigen Test
Why Is A Protein C Antigen Test Done?
The test is done to measure the amount of Vitamin C in an individuals blood. In case of any activity that can be a threat to human sustenance due to the inappropriate level of vitamin C, further medication or examination needs to be performed. Thus, the first objective of undertaking this test remains to know the amount of Protein C Antigen present in the bloodstream and what future course of action needs to be taken.
What Does The Protein C Antigen Test Measure?
A Protein C Antigen test measures the amount of protein C in the blood. This test is done to measure a person’s risk of developing a blood clot. Normally, protein C helps prevent blood clots from forming by controlling how many vitamin K-dependent factors are produced in the body.
Risks/Side Effects Of The Protein C Antigen Test
There are some risks associated with this test. You may feel itchy or even faint during the test. You may also get bruises and feel pain where the needle was inserted into your body to draw out your blood. However, these side effects are rare, and there is not much pain associated with this test. If you are going to have this test done, then make sure that you talk to your doctor about any concerns or questions that you may have about it. If you experience any of these symptoms or feel that something is not right after having the test completed, please call your doctor immediately.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FAQs
Reasons for low protein C level?
The liver makes most of the body’s protein C and plays an important role in turning inactive protein C into its active form. In certain cases, protein C deficiency can occur as the result of health problems, such as vitamin K deficiency. Use of blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven) and heparin can interfere with your body’s ability to activate protein C. This can also be owing to widespread metastatic tumors or severe illness, including infection (sepsis). Protein C may be used up rapidly by the body in these situations or destroyed by bacteria or other microorganisms during infection.
People with protein C deficiency have too little protein C in their bloodstream. Because of this, they’re more likely to experience symptoms of a blood clot, such as pain and swelling in the legs or chest pain from clogged arteries in the lungs (pulmonary embolism). Protein C deficiency can be congenital or acquired. Congenital cases are caused by mutations in genes that control how much protein C is made by your body. Acquired cases happen when your liver doesn’t produce enough protein C because it’s damaged by other diseases (such as sepsis) or drugs.
What is DVT?
Sometimes people with protein C deficiency also develop deep venous thrombosis (DVT), which is nothing but a clot of blood deep within a vein, mostly in the lower area of the leg or in the thigh. A DVT can make you experience pain and discomfort, cause swelling, and may also interfere with proper blood flow. A DVT may partially or completely block blood flow through a vein, which can damage tissues and organs that depend on this circulation for oxygen-rich blood. In severe cases, DVT can break loose from the vein where it formed and travel through the bloodstream to another part of the body.
THINGS TO KNOW AFTER GETTING TESTED
Interpretation Of The Protein C Antigen Test Results
Interpretation Of The Protein C Antigen Test Results
Increased protein C amounts really aren’t clinically useful and therefore are not frequently related to health issues. If indeed the function or quantities of protein C antigens remain acceptable, coagulation control is likely to be acceptable. Lower scores could indicate a protein C deficiency.
| Normal level | You are fit and clotting is regulated properly |
| Higher level | Acceptable |
| Lower level | Deficiency of protein C |
Protein C Antigen Test in Chandigarh
Starts from 450*
Protein C Antigen test is a simple blood test that checks whether you have enough protein C in your blood. Protein C is a type of protein (or “antigen) in your blood that helps keep your blood from clotting too much. If you don’t have enough protein C in your blood, your doctor will want to take steps to make sure that doesn’t lead to other problems.
If you have an abnormal amount of protein C in your blood, then you’re more likely to develop DVT. If you suspect that you have DVT, it’s important to get a Protein C Antigen test done as soon as possible so you can start treating the condition before it becomes life-threatening.
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