What does a high D-Dimer mean?

gizzyluv
gizzyluv Member Posts: 143
in Colorectal Cancer #1

Hey all, I have a question. Does anyone know what an elevated D-Dimer means if there is no evidence of a blood clot? Jason's is very high (2480.0 normal is 0.0-400.0). He was having some chest pain, so they did a test to check for a blood clot but didn't find anything.....

Comments

  • annalexandria
    annalexandria Member Posts: 2,571 Member
    #2
    Hey Kris, nice to see you here!

    I had no idea what "d-dimer" even was, but after reading the Mayo Clinic site info about it, it looks like it could be caused by a bunch of things...a clot that already dissolved, inflammation (which of course we all have when dealing with cancer), liver issues, bleeding, etc.

    I hope Jason's doctor can give you guys some answers.  It's so frustrating when we get weird test results and they can't tell us why.

    How is he feeling these days?

     

  • tanstaafl
    tanstaafl Member Posts: 1,313 Member
    #3
    dimer

    Quantitative D-dimer is newish on the colorectal cancer literature circuit.  Increased D-dimer reflects increased risk for clots and cancer events that may be followed up with tests and preventative measures.  Conventional medical responses alongside elevated d-dimer might include anti-inflammatories, blood thinners or unused chemo options if not contraindicated.  Second opinions might be a good idea.  Above the 4000-8000 ng/mL range is very serious territory.   INR, hsCRP or ESR, fibrinogen and CEA before/after treatment are useful information, too.

     

  • gizzyluv
    gizzyluv Member Posts: 143
    #4
    Thank you....

    Thanks for your replies! =) As for how Jason is doing, he goes in the morning to see what the CT Scan of his abdomen shows regarding how well he has responded with the new chemo (Erbitux). If the tumors on his liver have shrunk enough they are going to do surgery to resect his liver & also his colon. I'm so scared of what we're gonna hear, but I'm anxious as well,  I just pray it's good news!

  • LivinginNH
    LivinginNH Member Posts: 1,456 Member
    #5
    gizzyluv said:

    Thank you....

    Thanks for your replies! =) As for how Jason is doing, he goes in the morning to see what the CT Scan of his abdomen shows regarding how well he has responded with the new chemo (Erbitux). If the tumors on his liver have shrunk enough they are going to do surgery to resect his liver & also his colon. I'm so scared of what we're gonna hear, but I'm anxious as well,  I just pray it's good news!

     
    Good luck Kris!  Fingers

     

    Good luck Kris!  Fingers and toes crossed for good results!

    Hugs (())

    Cyn

  • janderson1964
    janderson1964 Member Posts: 2,215 Member
    #6
    gizzyluv said:

    Thank you....

    Thanks for your replies! =) As for how Jason is doing, he goes in the morning to see what the CT Scan of his abdomen shows regarding how well he has responded with the new chemo (Erbitux). If the tumors on his liver have shrunk enough they are going to do surgery to resect his liver & also his colon. I'm so scared of what we're gonna hear, but I'm anxious as well,  I just pray it's good news!

    I will pray for enough

    I will pray for enough shrinkage that Jason can have the surgery.

  • annalexandria
    annalexandria Member Posts: 2,571 Member
    #7
    gizzyluv said:

    Thank you....

    Thanks for your replies! =) As for how Jason is doing, he goes in the morning to see what the CT Scan of his abdomen shows regarding how well he has responded with the new chemo (Erbitux). If the tumors on his liver have shrunk enough they are going to do surgery to resect his liver & also his colon. I'm so scared of what we're gonna hear, but I'm anxious as well,  I just pray it's good news!

    I'm thinking of you guys today.

    I really hope you got decent news!

    Big hugs to you both~AA

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