Liver disease

[Jhon789]

Can anyone tell me that, Is it compulsory to do PT/INR test in liver disease???and if the clodding time increase, the it means liver cirhhosis???

[Kristian]

The INR test is used to help monitor someone with liver disease yes. They may not do it at every clinic but will do it from time to time or certainly if there are any other changes observed. I'm not sure you'd call it compulsory, but as its a factor in some of the algorithms, such as MELD and UKELD, it will always be done at some stage. It just may not be done at every clinic. However, I note you are in India and my experience relates to the UK, so practices and protocols where you are may differ.Liver disease, can affect INR and clotting time as the liver helps produce some of the factors used to make blood clot. However, an increase in clotting time on its own would not be indicative of cirrhosis in its own right. Its not specific enough as many other things non liver related can cause it.

[Jhon789 in reply to Kristian]

I had done the test PT-22sec and INR was 1.68. I am having fatty liver as per elastography and fibroscan shows 9kpa

[Kristian in reply to Jhon789]

I'm guessing your INR of 1.68 has been highlighted as being out of range. You should discuss what this means with your own doctor. It looks to be prolonged, by UK standards anyway, so you should investigate with them what the possible cause of this may be. I wouldn't at this stage jump to any conclusions as to what that cause may be though.

[MINTVCX]

Sometimes vitamin k deficiency is the cause of clodding time increase (not from liver problem). On the other hand is rather rare case because normal diet has enough vitamin k. In that case sometimes absorbing this vitamin can be the issue.