Fibrinogen is a soluble protein
synthesized in the liver and circulates in the blood. At the time
of an injury fibrinogen is converted to fibrin, which is an insoluble
material that forms blood clots. A fibrinogen assay, part of the
arthritis panel, measures the concentration of fibrinogen in the
blood. High plasma fibrinogen concentration helps indicate future
coronary heart disease in men and women. Drugs that may increase
fibrinogen levels include birth control pills and estrogen.
Fibrinogen plays two important roles in our body.
Levels increase with tissue inflammation
or tissue destruction.
It is vital part of the coagulation process
The normal range is 200-400 mg/dl (milligrams
per deciliter). Several risk factors associated to low levels of
fibrinogen are excessive bleeding, fainting, hematoma (blood accumulation
under the skin), broken veins, and infections resulting from any
little cut.
