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Antithrombin III blood test
Antithrombin; AT III; AT 3; Functional antithrombin III; Clotting disorder - AT III; DVT - AT III; Deep vein thrombosis - AT III
Antithrombin III (AT III) is a protein that helps control blood clotting. A blood test can determine the amount of AT III present in your body.
How the Test is Performed
Blood sample is needed
Venipuncture is the collection of blood from a vein. It is most often done for laboratory testing.
How to Prepare for the Test
Certain medicines may affect the results of the test. Your health care provider may tell you to stop taking certain medicines or reduce their dose before the test. Do not stop taking any medicine before speaking with your doctor.
How the Test will Feel
When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging. Afterward, there may be some throbbing or a slight bruise. This soon goes away.
Why the Test is Performed
Your provider may order this test if you have repeated blood clots or if blood thinning medicine does not work.
Blood clots
Blood clots are clumps that occur when blood hardens from a liquid to a solid. A blood clot that forms inside one of your veins or arteries is calle...
Normal Results
Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results.
What Abnormal Results Mean
Lower-than-normal AT III may mean you have an increased risk of blood clotting. This can occur when there is not enough AT III in your blood, or when there is enough AT III in your blood, but the AT III does not function properly and is less active.
Abnormal results may not show up until you are an adult.
Examples of complications associated with increased blood clotting are:
-
Deep venous thrombosis
Deep venous thrombosis
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition that occurs when a blood clot forms in a vein deep inside a part of the body. It mainly affects the large ...
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Phlebitis
(vein inflammation)
Phlebitis
Thrombophlebitis is swelling (inflammation) of a vein. A blood clot (thrombus) in the vein can cause this swelling.
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Pulmonary embolus
(blood clot traveling to lung)
Pulmonary embolus
A pulmonary embolus is a blockage of an artery in the lungs. The most common cause of the blockage is a blood clot.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Thrombophlebitis (vein inflammation with clot formation)
Lower than normal AT III may be due to:
- Bone marrow transplant
-
Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
Disseminated intravascular coagulation ...
Disseminated intravascular coagulation is a serious disorder in which the proteins that control blood clotting become overactive.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - AT III deficiency, an inherited condition
- Liver cirrhosis
- Nephrotic syndrome
Higher than normal AT III may be due to:
- Use of anabolic steroids
-
Bleeding disorder (
hemophilia
)
Hemophilia
Hemophilia refers to a group of bleeding disorders in which blood clotting takes a long time. There are two forms of hemophilia:Hemophilia A (classic...
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- Low level of vitamin K
Risks
Veins and arteries vary in size from one person to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.
Other risks may include:
- Excessive bleeding
- Fainting or feeling lightheaded
- Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
- Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
References
Chernecky CC, Berger BJ. Antithrombin III (AT-III) test - diagnostic. In: Chernecky CC, Berger BJ, eds. Laboratory Tests and Diagnostic Procedures . 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2013:156-157.
Napolitano M, Schmaier AH, Kessler CM. Coagulation and fibrinolysis. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods . 23rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 39.
Review Date: 5/20/2016
Reviewed By: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
