Factor XIII activity
- Description
- FXIII in test plasma is activated by thrombin to FXIIIa which then cross-links glycine-ethyl ester to a specific glutamine containing peptide substrate, which results in release of ammonia. The released ammonia is then reacted with NADH and α-ketoglutarate, which in the presence of glutamate dehydrogenase, generates NAD and glutamate. FXIII activity is derived by measuring the speed of change in absorbance after the reaction reaches its linear phase. NADH consumption is directly proportional to the level of FXIII in the test sample.
- Clinical details
- FXIII is crucial to effective haemostasis by stabilising blood clots. Inherited FXIII deficiency is a rare bleeding disorder and is also associated with poor wound healing and recurrent miscarriage.
- Related condition
- Reference range
63.8 - 134.6
- Units
- IU/dl
- Testing site
- Synnovis : Blood Sciences : St Thomas' Hospital
- Laboratory
- Diagnostic Haemostasis and Thrombosis
- Sample type and volume required
- External requests: Citrated platelet poor plasma 450µL x 1 aliquot Internal requests: please refer to EPR label
- Special sample instructions
The sample should be analysed or manipulated & stored in the laboratory within 4 hours of venepuncture. Please ensure sample tubes are filled exactly to the fill-line as underfilling creates a dilution error and leads to inaccurate results.
- Turnaround time
- 10 days
- Contacts
Diagnostic Haemostasis and Thrombosis Department
St Thomas’ Hospital
Phone: 020 7188 2797
St Thomas’ Hospital
North Wing – 4th and 5th Floors
Westminster Bridge Road
London SE1 7EHGuy’s Hospital
Phone: 020 7188 7188 ext. 53860
Guy’s Hospital
Southwark Wing – 4th Floor
Great Maze Pond
London SE1 9RT
Outside core hours, contact Duty Haemostasis Biomedical Scientist