PT and PTT are two different blood tests used to measure how well your blood clots. PT measures the time it takes for your blood to clot from start to finish, while PTT measures the time it takes for your blood to clot only partially. Your doctor may order one or both of these tests if you have a bleeding disorder or are taking medication that affects your blood clotting ability. Knowing the difference between PT and PTT can help you understand your test results and what they mean for your health.
What is PTT?
PTT, or partial thromboplastin time, is a test that measures how long it takes for blood clotting to occur. PTT is important because it helps to ensure that the blood clotting process is working properly. abnormal PTT results can indicate a problem with blood clotting, which can be serious. PTT is usually measured by taking a blood sample and then measuring the time it takes for the blood to clot. PTT results are typically expressed in seconds or minutes. PTT tests are generally considered to be safe and there is no special preparation required before the test.
What is PT?
PT, or prothrombin time, is a test used to measure how long it takes for your blood to clot. This test is usually ordered by your doctor if you’re at risk for or have a history of blood clots. PT is also sometimes ordered as part of a routine checkup. PT is normally represented as a percentage of how long it takes your blood to clot compared with healthy individuals. A PT result that’s lower than normal may indicate you’re at risk for bleeding. A PT result that’s higher than normal may indicate you’re at risk for forming blood clots.
The exact PT results may vary depending on the laboratory that does the test. But in general, a PT result of less than 80 percent is considered too low and may be indicative of a bleeding disorder. A PT result of more than 120 percent is considered too high and may be indicative of a clotting disorder. PT results usually aren’t used as the sole factor to diagnose or rule out bleeding or clotting disorders. Other tests, such as PT-INR (international normalized ratio) and platelet function tests, are often done along with PT to get a more complete picture of your clotting function.
Difference between PTT and PT
PTT and PT are two measures of clotting time. PTT measures the time it takes for a clot to form in response to a partial thromboplastin stimulus, while PT measures the time it takes for a clot to form in response to prothrombin. PTT is generally longer than PT, because prothrombin is a more potent stimulus for clotting than partial thromboplastin. PTT is used to diagnose disorders of the coagulation cascade, while PT is used to diagnose disorders of prothrombin production. Both PTT and PT can be affected by factors such as hematocrit, platelet count, and plasma protein concentration.
Conclusion
The prothrombin time, or PT, is a measure of the extrinsic pathway of coagulation. The partial thromboplastin time, or PTT, is a measure of the intrinsic and common pathways of coagulation. These two tests are used to help diagnose bleeding disorders and clotting abnormalities.
