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Bleeding Time And Clotting Time Test

Dr. Pravalika DevisettiLast Updated on 21st March 2022

It is the time taken for bleeding to stop after an injury to your body. This process of bleeding to stop involves contraction of your small blood vessels and platelet activation at the site of injury. Platelets are a type of blood cells in your body that are responsible to stop bleeding in your body after any injury. Bleeding Time Test: This test determines how long it is taking for your body to stop bleeding after an injury. The medical practitioner doesn’t let a blood clot form naturally over the wound, so blood vessel constriction and platelet activation are the only way to stop the bleeding. So this test helps your doctor to understand how well your platelets are working in your body to stop bleeding after an injury. When other more reliable and less invasive procedures for evaluating coagulation (blood clotting) are unavailable, the bleeding time test is used as a screening test. However, it remains the most reliable method of assessing clinical bleeding in uremia (high levels of urea in the blood) patients. Clotting time is the time taken for blood to clot in a glass tube. This is also known as coagulation time. In this process, clotting factors play a role. Clotting Time Test: This test is performed on a blood sample to determine how long it takes for the blood to clot or coagulate in a glass tube. The enzyme thrombin must be produced from the plasma precursor prothrombin to clot blood. The soluble fibrinogen is then converted into insoluble fibrin by thrombin. Therefore, the time necessary for blood to clot primarily reflects the time required for thrombin to be generated. This test helps your doctor to understand how well your clotting factors are working.

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What are Bleeding Time and Clotting Time tests used for?

Bleeding time is used to see for any platelet-associated disorders. And, clotting time is used to check for the functioning of clotting factors.

These tests are indicated in the following scenarios :

In case you have symptoms like prolonged bleeding after a prick/cut/injury to the skin.
Done as a part of evaluation before surgeries where there is a possibility of bleeding.
To diagnose bleeding disorders like hemophilia.

To monitor the effectiveness of treatment provided for bleeding disorders.

What is included in the Bleeding Time and Clotting Time test?

As the name suggests, the test contains the evaluation of both bleeding and clotting times. Apart from that, bleeding time and clotting time tests include determining the quality of platelets, platelet activation to stop bleeding during any injury to the body, and functioning of clotting factors in the formation of blood clots.

Procedure for Bleeding Time and Clotting Time test

A healthcare provider takes the following steps to perform the bleeding time test:

To reduce the danger of infection, they clean the puncture site with an antiseptic.
A pressure cuff will be wrapped around your arm above the elbow
Then the pressure cuff is inflated.
The next two tiny incisions are made on your lower arm. These will be deep enough to result in minor bleeding. When they make the cuts, you may feel a small scratch, but the cuts are pretty shallow and should not cause much pain.
They take the cuff off your arm.
They dab the cuts with paper every 30 seconds, using a stopwatch or timer, until the bleeding stops. Then, they note how long it takes you to stop bleeding and then patch the cuts.

A healthcare provider takes the following steps to perform the clotting time test:

Using a lancet, the healthcare provider will prick the finger.
Next, they will hold the capillaries over the blood causing it to fill automatically, and the capillary is broken at regular intervals
The end of the test is the clotting time; when a clot begins to form.

Book your Bleeding Time and Clotting Time tests to check how well your blood platelets work!

How to prepare for the Bleeding Time and Clotting Time test?

No special preparation is needed. Inform your doctor about any medications you are using, including prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, any vitamin and mineral supplements. Some drugs, such as aspirin, can impair blood clotting.

Your doctor may advise you to discontinue your medication a few days before the test if needed. Follow your doctor’s orders, but don’t stop taking any medications unless your doctor tells you to. Wear a short-sleeved shirt for your test so that the healthcare provider may readily access your arm.

Things to consider after Bleeding Time and Clotting Time test is complete

Knowing how long it takes your blood to stop bleeding or to clot can help your doctor identify whether you have any bleeding issues like haemophilia or Von Willebrand’s disease.

Results outside of the normal range may indicate a platelet abnormality or issues with your clotting factor and necessitate more testing. Your doctor will review your test findings and advise you of any further tests if required.

How much does the Bleeding Time and Clotting Time test cost?*

A Bleeding and Clotting Time Test can cost anywhere between Rs.199 to Rs.599.

*Disclaimer: The value varies based on location, time, and your preferred lab partner.

How long does it take to get the Bleeding Time and Clotting Time test results?

You can expect to get the Bleeding Time and Clotting Time test results within 24 to 48 hours after the sample is collected. However, in certain cases, depending on the location, medical advice, and preferred lab partner, it may take longer.

What do abnormal Bleeding Time and Clotting Time test results indicate?

Abnormal bleeding time test results may indicate that you require additional testing to determine the reason for your prolonged bleeding. If the bleeding time is not within the normal range, it may indicate an underlying platelet problem, which should be confirmed by other tests.

You may have an acquired platelet function deficiency, a disorder that occurs after birth and impairs how well your blood platelets operate to stop bleeding when there is any injury. As a result, your body may create an abnormally large or small number of platelets, or your platelets may fail to function properly.

Abnormalities in the results could also point to the following conditions:

A hereditary platelet function deficiency is a problem that occurs at birth and affects the function of your platelets. One example of this type of defect is haemophilia.
Primary thrombocythemia is a disorder in which your bone marrow produces a large number of platelets.
Thrombocytopenia is a condition in which your body produces insufficient platelets.
Von Willebrand’s disease is a hereditary disorder that affects how your blood coagulates (clots) can cause abnormal bleeding time.
DIC (Disseminated intravascular coagulation), is a condition that happens due to other underlying problems in the body like severe infection, trauma, complicated pregnancy, burns, etc.
Few Medications can inhibit the function of platelets like aspirin, clopidogrel, ticagrelor, etc., and cause abnormal bleeding time.
Clotting factors deficiency can cause abnormal results. These deficiencies can be there from birth or acquired during life.
Drugs like heparin or thrombin inhibitors (dabigatran) can cause abnormal clotting time.

Disclaimer: Please consult with your doctor to interpret the test reports.

Is Bleeding Time and Clotting Time Test a definitive test?

No. Both bleeding time and clotting time can be used as screening tests only in absence of other reliable tests to check for the presence of bleeding disorders. In case of abnormal results, further tests are required to identify the underlying cause. Only severe coagulation factor deficiency causes an abnormal result in bleeding time and clotting time test (as low as 10-15 percent).

How to read the Bleeding Time and Clotting Time report?

Bleeding Time Test:

In adults, the normal time range is 1 to 9 minutes while it is 1-13 minutes in children.

9-15 minutes implies platelet dysfunction, and
> 15 minutes is significant.

Clotting Time Test:

Normal range: 11-134 seconds is a typical value.

Book a Bleeding Time and Clotting Time test to check how long it takes your blood to clot!

Why book Bleeding Time and Clotting Time tests?

The Bleeding Time and Clotting Time tests determine how long it takes your blood to clot and to stop bleeding.
These tests are useful for those dealing with a case in which bleeding, even from a little incision, does not cease.
It can help diagnose conditions behind any frequent nose bleeds or gum bleeds
The test entails creating small, shallow cuts in your skin to determine how well your platelets work to clot blood in the event of a bleed.
The test looks for Coagulation Disorder, and Platelet Disorder.
The test determines whether you have a bleeding illness such as haemophilia or Von Willebrand’s disease.
Anything outside the range indicates platelet abnormalities and would necessitate more testing.
If you are on any medications that can affect your blood clotting system or platelet function, or any treatment for bleeding disorders you may have to go for these tests to check if your treatment is helping your issue
In case you are going for any surgery that is expected to have significant blood loss you may be advised to go for these tests.

Bleeding Time and Clotting Time test at home – how does it work?

The Bleeding Time and Clotting Time test is just like any other blood test. A lab technician visits your home when you book your tests through the MFine app. To reduce the danger of infection, they clean the puncture site with an antiseptic.

A pressure cuff will be wrapped around your arm above the elbow. Then the pressure cuff is inflated. The next two tiny incisions are made on your lower arm. These will be deep enough to result in minor bleeding. When they make the cuts, you may feel a small scratch, but the cuts are pretty shallow and should not cause much pain. They take the cuff off your arm. They dab the cuts with paper every 30 seconds, using a stopwatch or timer, until the bleeding stops.

Then, they note how long it takes you to stop bleeding and then patch the cuts.

Are there any risks involved with Bleeding Time and Clotting Time tests?

No major risks are involved. But when your skin is incised with tiny cuts, you run the danger of severe bleeding and infection. Because the objective of the test is to make you bleed, some bleeding is unavoidable.

However, because the test punctures are relatively shallow, there is little risk of significant bleeding, and problems are pretty rare.

What can affect the results for the Bleeding Time and Clotting Time test?

Bleeding Time:

The bleeding time is a clinical laboratory test used to assess platelet function. It entails making a standardised incision and noting the timing of the stoppage of bleeding.

Anything that affects platelet function can prolong the bleeding time. Aspirin, thrombocytopenia, and uremia are a few examples. Other criteria include the test technique and the subjective observation of the technician performing the exam. This test, like other subjective tests, is susceptible to human error.

Clotting Time:

More than 55% hematocrit (PCV) causes a drop in plasma in the blood sample, lowering the available coagulating components, affecting the clotting time results.
Underfilled tubes(used for measuring clotting time) will also result in an artificially extended clotting time measurement.
Indwelling intravenous catheter samples may be contaminated because these lines frequently require a flush with heparin or other solutions that artificially extend coagulation times.
Blood samples for clotting time testing must be kept at room temperature or 4 degrees Celsius and this test requires fresh blood samples. If the sample is not fresh, it can alter the test results.
Prolonged cold storage at 4 degrees Celsius or lower can activate Factor VII, resulting in a shorter clotting time.

Book your Bleeding Time and Clotting Time tests to check how well your blood platelets work!

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Frequently asked questions | FAQs

Is the lab technician coming for Bleeding Time and Clotting Time sample collection vaccinated?

Yes. Our lab technicians are fully vaccinated. Further, they also ensure safety by wearing masks and gloves and frequently sanitizing themselves during sample collection.

Does MFine provide the interpretation for the results along with the reports?

Yes, MFine provides the interpretation for the result along with the reports. You can also avail a free medical consultation with a doctor to understand your reports accurately. The doctor will also advise and prescribe medicines, if required, based on the results.

How can I download my Bleeding Time and Clotting Time test report?

Login to MFine
Go to your profile
Click on Attachment and Reports
Click on Lab Report
Download the report

Are there any discount offers running on Bleeding Time and Clotting Time tests?

Usually, you can avail of up to a 50% discount on Bleeding Time and Clotting Time test through MFine. However, the discount and test price may vary based on lab partner and location.

What is the best way to calculate bleeding time?

The bleeding time is a laboratory test used to evaluate platelet function and the body’s ability to stop bleeding by creating clots. The test is done by causing a small tiny cut wound in the superficial part of the skin and the timing of how long it takes for the bleeding to stop (i.e., the bleeding site turns “glassy”) is noted.

How is the clotting time test performed?

Using the lancet, a prick on the finger is made by the healthcare provider. Now the capillary tube will be held over the blood, causing it to fill automatically. The capillary tube will now be broken at regular intervals. The clotting time is when a clot begins to form, and the time taken for this clot to form in the tube from the time of collection of blood is noted as clotting time.

What exactly is the Duke method?

Duke’s method: This is one of the methods used to perform bleeding time tests. After being swabbed with alcohol, the patient’s earlobe is pricked with a specific needle or lancet. The prick is approximately 3–4 mm deep. The blood is then wiped with a filter paper every 30 seconds, not allowing it to form a clot. When the bleeding stops, the test is considered as over and the time it took for bleeding to stop is noted as bleeding time.

What exactly is a profile test?

Prothrombin time (PT), INR, APTT, platelets, and fibrinogen are all included in a coagulation profile (coags). It is a screening test used to screen bleeding disorders because it looks at the factors that are most commonly associated with coagulation of blood when there is an injury. However, it does not detect or screen all of the causes of bleeding disorders.

Why are bleeding and clotting time tests performed during pregnancy?

These are standard tests that are performed in pregnancy. This test determines the time it takes for your blood to clot to stop bleeding. It can detect Coagulation Disorder and Platelet Disorder. These tests in pregnancy will help to screen for bleeding disorders in the mother that may affect the course of pregnancy.

What is the Ivy method to measure bleeding time?

The IVY method is another technique used for bleeding time tests. The IVY method involves placing a blood pressure cuff on the upper arm and inflating it to 30- 40 mmHg. Next, a sterile lancet or scalpel blade is used to make a 1-millimeter deep incision on the front of the forearm.

A standard-sized incision is produced approximately 10 mm long and 1 mm deep. The bleeding time is measured from when the incision is made until all bleeding has stopped. Filter paper or a paper towel is used to wipe blood every 30 seconds. When the bleeding stops, the test is considered as over and the bleeding time is noted.

Disclaimer: The content is uniquely informative and is meant for educational use. Kindly use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified or registered healthcare provider.