Heparin Anti-XA (Unfractionated heparin) Test

The Heparin anti-XA test is usually ordered to evaluate the levels of unfractionated heparin (UFH) in a person’s body. A healthcare professional may also order the Heparin anti-XA test when the patient is not responding to UFH. This happens under two circumstances – first, when the person is already suffering from serious condition such as liver dysfunction and, second, when the person has an underlying condition such as the interfering factors like lupus anticoagulant which interferes with the PTT test results, the test used to monitor UFH levels. The test is also generally ordered in case of pregnant women and the overweight (obese) people with more than 100 kg body weight. People with kidney dysfunction have the chance of unmonitored levels of UFH.

This test requires no specific test preparations. You should inform your doctor in case you are taking any medications. As this is a blood sample test, it is advisable to avoid consuming alcohol days before the test as it can interfere with the results. This test does not require fasting so keep your regular routine eating habits. Make sure that the area, where needle will be injected, is cleaned because in other case it might infect your test sample through the needle.

Heparin is a drug used for the people who have developed dangerous blood clots in their body. This condition is known as thrombi. The inadequacy of Heparin results in the excessive clotting of blood in the body. The test is useful to detect cases like: To evaluate the concentrations of UFH, LMWH, or fondaparinux in the blood. When a person is not responding to PTT test as expected. When the doctor suspects that the patient is not clearing a drug at a normal rate. The excessive blood clotting can form in cases like: Surgeries Deep Vein Thrombosis Hepercoagulable disorders.

The healthcare professionals will collect blood sample from the patient’s vein. They will clean the area to be injected with an antiseptic. Then, patient’s arm will be wrapped with an elastic band to reduce the blood flow and make visible your veins to draw the blood. Once sufficient amount is collected in the vial they will press the injected area to stop over bleeding.