A lower prothrombin time is dangerous

When the prothrombin time is below the lower limit of normal by 10% -20%, there may be a risk of bleeding, which needs to be evaluated comprehensively based on clinical symptoms and other coagulation indicators. Prothrombin time mainly reflects the function of exogenous coagulation pathways, and abnormal values may be related to vitamin K deficiency, liver disease, or the use of anticoagulant drugs. The results of prothrombin time testing are usually presented in seconds or international standardized ratios, with slight differences in reference ranges among different laboratories. The prothrombin time of healthy individuals is mostly between 11-13 seconds, and the INR value is maintained at 0.8-1.2. When the prothrombin time is shortened by more than 20% compared to the normal value, or the INR is below 0.8, it indicates that the blood is in a hypercoagulable state and the risk of thrombosis is increased. This situation is common during pregnancy, oral contraceptive use, and in some patients with malignant tumors. Hypercoagulable state may lead to serious complications such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, but when the prothrombin time is mildly shortened without other abnormalities, special treatment is usually not necessary. When the prothrombin time is significantly shortened and accompanied by elevated platelets or abnormal D-dimer levels, the clinical risk is significantly increased. Patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia, severe trauma, or extensive burns may experience a sharp decrease in prothrombin time, which can lead to disseminated intravascular coagulation. Partial genetic coagulation factor abnormalities can also lead to persistently low prothrombin time, and these patients require regular monitoring of coagulation function. If symptoms such as unexplained bruising, nosebleeds, or gastrointestinal bleeding occur simultaneously, immediate medical attention should be sought to investigate coagulation system diseases.

Daily attention should be paid to observing whether there are bleeding points on the skin and mucous membranes, avoiding intense exercise and trauma. Long term use of antiplatelet drugs should be adjusted according to medical advice, and pregnant women and perioperative patients should undergo comprehensive coagulation function screening. It is not advisable to consume high-fat diet 24 hours before the test. When drawing blood, try to shorten the compression time of the tourniquet to ensure the accuracy of the results. When abnormal prothrombin time is found, it should be rechecked and confirmed, and further examinations such as coagulation factor activity testing and thromboelastography should be carried out in cooperation with the doctor.