Can anxiety cause high d dimer? This is how it really is

 

In this article, we will discuss the many reasons why high d-dimer can be caused by anxiety. High d-dimer is a blood test that can be done to check for an increased risk of thrombosis.

 

 

What is High D-Dimer?

 

High D-Dimer is a blood test that can measure the risk of an individual developing thrombosis. Two types of d dimers, high and low, indicate different stages in a possible clot formation process. A high d-dimer is a positive blood test showing a high level of fibrin degradation products in the bloodstream. An increase in d-dimer levels can indicate possible thrombus formation, which is the build-up of coagulated or clotted blood within a blood vessel.

 

 

What Causes High D-Dimer?

 

There are many reasons why someone might experience an increased level of D-dimer, ranging from certain medications to severe stress and anxiety.

 

1. Certain medications:

 

Certain medications can increase the risk of experiencing an increase in d-dimer. Examples of these medications are heparins, which are used to prevent blood clotting. This effect is caused by the anticoagulants in the heparin causing an increase in D-dimer resulting from a reduction in fibrin breakdown products.

 

 

2. Severe stress and anxiety:

 

Severe stress or anxiety can also cause an increase in D-dimer. This increase is caused by a release of endorphins, which are naturally occurring hormones that help block pain and help the brain regulate emotions. When there is severe stress or anxiety, endorphins temporarily block these pain and emotions, causing an increase in D-dimer levels.

 

 

3. Pregnancy and childbirth:

 

Pregnancy and childbirth can also cause an increase in D-dimer due to the increased blood flow through a woman’s veins during this stage of her life. An increase in D-dimer is usually short-term because of increased blood flow after giving birth.

 

 

4. High levels of calcium:

 

High levels of calcium also increase D-dimer levels as it is required for fibrin breakdown products to be formed.

 

 

5. Congestive heart failure:

 

Congestive heart failure, or heart disease, can also increase d-dimer levels in some individuals. This is caused by increased blood pressure and heart rate, increasing the likelihood of a clot forming.

 

 

 

6. Various types of cancer:

 

Individuals with various types of cancer may also experience an increase in D-dimer, as the treatment for these types of cancer is likely to include anticoagulants.

 

 

 

7. Hormone replacement therapy:

 

Hormone replacement therapy for men and women can also cause an increase in d-dimer. This is caused by the hormones taken orally, causing Fibrin breakdown products to be released into the bloodstream, sticking to proteins within the blood and forming a clot.

 

 

 

8. Infectious diseases:

 

Various infectious diseases can also cause an increase in D-dimer levels, such as sepsis (massive infection) or malaria (blood disease). These causes are due to the increased inflammation and inflammation-driven formation of new blood clots known as thrombi.

 

 

 

9. Drug use:

 

Drug use can also cause an increase in D-dimer levels, as the putative drug-anticoagulant interactions cause this drug effect.

 

 

 

10. Inherited condition:

 

Certain inherited conditions such as Factor V Leiden and prothrombin gene mutation can cause an increase in D-dimer due to an increased risk of thrombosis. This increased risk is caused by the high levels of fibrin breakdown products when these individuals are under stress or experience major trauma.

 

 

 

11. Family history of thrombosis:

 

The family history of thrombosis is another potential reason for experiencing an increase in d dimer from anxiety and stress.

 

 

 

12. Pregnancy:

 

If a mother has an increased level of D-dimer, it is possible for her unborn baby also to experience a high d-dimer level while in the womb. The placenta causes this increase in the mother, acting as the barrier which stops any blood clotting on the membrane of her unborn child. If this barrier is weakened, it allows the blood to form clots, leading to low birth weight or even miscarriage.

 

 

 

13. Lack of exercise:

 

Lack of exercise can also cause an increase in d dimer due to poor circulation, which could lead to thrombosis and clots forming within a person’s bloodstream.

 

 

 

14. Alcohol and drug abuse:

 

Alcohol and drug abuse can cause an increase in d-dimer levels due to the increased risk of experiencing major trauma or injury.

 

 

 

15. Smoking:

 

Smoking can also cause an increase in d-dimer levels, as the chemicals within the tobacco greatly weaken the blood’s clotting ability. This is because smoking increases the amount of fibrinogen within the bloodstream and results in a reduction of antithrombin III, which is a natural anticlotting agent.

 

 

 

16. Tumor lysis syndrome:

 

Tumor lysis syndrome, or TLS, occurs when a tumor releases too many tissue-specific growth factors and cytokines, promoting fibrin breakdown. This is called heparinization and increases d dimer levels.

 

 

 

17. Rheumatoid arthritis:

 

Rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of the joints and other tissues, can also cause an increase in d dimer levels due to the inflammation of the blood vessels. This increases the risk of thrombosis in an individual as this disease weakens blood clotting ability.

 

 

 

18. Familial thrombophilia:

 

Individuals with various thrombophilias are also more likely to experience increased d dimer levels, as this disease is the most common cause of bleeding in the body.

 

 

 

19. Disease:

 

Cardiac disease, including valve damage, can also cause an increase in D-dimer levels due to the changes within an individual’s body due to this cardiac condition.

 

 

 

20. Blood cancer:

 

Some types of cancer can also cause an increase in d dimer levels, such as lymphoma and myeloma (blood cancer). This is because treating these diseases is often used to prevent blood clotting and is known as chemoembolization.

 

 

 

21. Cancer treatment:

 

Chemoembolisation for cancer can also cause an increase in D-dimer levels as this treatment is often used to destroy blood clots in a person’s body by combining the anticoagulant and chemotherapeutic drugs in one pill.

 

 

 

22. Infection:

 

Infection can also cause an increase in D-dimer, as it is caused by the high levels of fibrin breakdown products being released from infected blood clots resulting from the high levels of inflammation and inflammation-mediated formation of new thrombi (blood clots). The increased inflammation leads to poor circulation and thrombosis (blood clot) formation.

 

 

 

23. Stress:

 

An increase in D-dimer levels can also be caused by stress, as this high level of fibrin breakdown products can result in poor circulation and thrombosis (blood clot).

 

 

 

24. Cancer:

 

Some types of cancer can also cause an increase in d dimer, as the treatment for these types of cancer is often used to prevent blood clotting, which increases the likelihood of thrombosis (blood clot) formation. This is a major cause for concern for those who have had surgery or chemotherapy to treat their cancer.

 

 

 

25. Chemotherapy:

 

Chemoembolisation for cancer can also cause an increase in D-dimer levels as this treatment is often used to destroy blood clots in a person’s body by combining the anticoagulant and chemotherapeutic drugs in one pill.

 

 

 

Conclusion

 

As you can see, many different causes of an increase in d-dimer levels exist. Having this information at hand during a doctor’s visit will help them make a more precise diagnosis of what may be causing the problem.

 

The level of D-dimer is elevated in nonpolycystic kidney disease patients. It plays an important part in the diagnostic process as it can also be used to determine further course of treatment. Furthermore, research has shown that high D-dimer levels can be caused by various medical conditions such as arterial fibrillation, deep vein thrombosis (blood clot), and pulmonary embolism (blood clot).

 

References:

 

-https://xanfree.com/blogs/research-resources/can-anxiety-cause-high-d-dimer

 

-https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080325111800.htm