For the study of blood clotting, doctors prescribe a special analysis - a coagulogram. With this test, you can determine the tendency to thrombosis and increased bleeding. One of the important indicators of the analysis is the concentration of fibrinogen. With various pathologies, the level of this protein increases above normal, which increases the risk of vascular blockage. Can fibrinogen be lowered? And how to do it? We will answer these questions in the article.
What is this
Fibrinogen is a protein that is produced in liver cells. When interacting with enzymes, it turns into fibrin threads and participates in the coagulation process. This protein is needed by the body to form a blood clot and prevent hemorrhage.
Elevated levels of this protein are called hyperfibrinogenemia. In this case, the patient's blood viscosity increases and the risk ofthrombus formation. Therefore, it is very important to lower fibrinogen in time to prevent blockage of blood vessels.
No less dangerous is the low concentration of fibrinogen. Deficiency of this protein leads to increased bleeding and anemia.
Analysis
How to find out fibrinogen levels? The level of this protein is determined as part of a coagulogram - a blood test for clotting. Biomaterial for research is taken from a vein.
Blood is placed in a centrifuge, plasma is isolated from it and mixed with the enzyme - thrombin. This forms a blood clot. It is separated from the plasma and weighed. The mass of the clot is multiplied by a factor of 0.222 and the fibrinogen index is obtained. It is measured in grams per liter of blood (g/L).
Coagulogram is prescribed for various pathologies accompanied by a violation of blood clotting, before surgery, and also during pregnancy. This analysis is done for the elderly for preventive purposes, it allows you to assess the risk of developing myocardial infarction and atherosclerosis.
Norma
Normal fibrinogen levels for adult patients are between 2 and 4 g/L. The level of this protein increases during pregnancy. During the period of gestation, values from 6 to 7 g / l are considered acceptable. This is a variant of the norm and does not indicate pathology.
Newborn babies produce less fibrinogen than adults. The norm for infancy is from 1.25 to 3 g / l.
Reason for increase
Fibrinogen levels may be higher than normal if the patient suffers from the following pathologies:
- Infectious and inflammatory diseases. Fibrinogen is an acute phase protein. It is produced in an increased amount when pathogens enter the body. This is a natural defensive reaction of the immune system. Blood clots slow down the spread of infection. To lower fibrinogen, you need to take a course of antibacterial or antiviral treatment.
- Diabetes. If insulin deficiency is formed in the body, then hepatocytes produce fibrinogen in an increased amount. This is due to metabolic disorders.
- Autoimmune pathologies. In systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, and rheumatoid arthritis, immune cells produce antibodies against their own tissues. This is accompanied by inflammatory reactions and thickening of the blood. To lower fibrinogen, it is necessary to achieve a stable remission of the underlying disease.
- Inflammatory liver disease. With hepatitis, the function of the cells of the organ is disrupted. This is often accompanied by an increase in fibrinogen concentration.
- Burns. With thermal and chemical lesions of the skin, vascular permeability increases. This leads to a decrease in blood volume and an increase in the concentration of fibrinogen.
- Oncological diseases of the hematopoietic organs. Blood cancer often leads to liver metastases and severe hyperfibrinogenemia.
- Nephrotic syndrome. This pathologycharacterized by severe renal impairment. The excretory organs excrete a huge amount of proteins, including fibrinogen, with urine. To compensate for its deficiency, the liver begins to produce this protein in large quantities.
- Obesity. In overweight people, liver function is impaired. This often leads to excessive production of fibrinogen.
There are also non-pathological causes of increased fibrinogen. The level of this protein increases with dehydration, the abuse of fatty foods and alcohol, and smoking. Blood clotting is often noted in elderly patients due to age-related changes in the body.
What to do if fibrinogen is elevated? How to lower the level of this protein and reduce the risk of thrombosis? There are various methods of thinning the blood. Next, we will look at them in more detail.
Drug therapy
How to lower fibrinogen in the blood with medication? First of all, it is necessary to treat the underlying disease. After all, hyperfibrinogenemia is most often observed against the background of various pathologies. An increase in fibrinogen levels is only one of the manifestations of the disease.
To prevent the formation of blood clots and blockage of blood vessels, the following groups of drugs are prescribed:
- Antiaggregants. These drugs prevent red blood cells and platelets from sticking together and sticking together. They artificially thin the blood. This group includes medicines based on acetylsalicylic acid: Cardiomagnyl, AspirinCardio", "Aspecard".
- Anticoagulants. These medicines reduce blood clotting. The most commonly used drug is Clexane. It reduces the activity of blood clotting factors and prevents blood clots.
- Fibrinolytics. These drugs are prescribed only for prolonged hyperfibrinogenemia and suspected thrombosis. Their active ingredients contribute to the dissolution of already formed blood clots. These funds include "Fibrinolysin" and "Streptokinase".
All of the above medicines can be used only as prescribed by a doctor. If taken incorrectly, these drugs can cause internal bleeding.
Diet
How to lower fibrinogen through diet? It is necessary to exclude foods that contribute to blood clotting from the diet:
- sugar and sweets;
- alcoholic drinks;
- potato;
- fatty food;
- smoked meats;
- bananas;
- buckwheat dishes;
- sweet soda.
As you know, human blood is 90% water. Therefore, it is very important to prevent dehydration and observe the correct drinking regimen. At least 2 - 2.5 liters of liquid should be consumed per day. It can be high quality bottled water, green or mint tea, freshly squeezed juices from vegetables, fruits and berries.
You need to include foods that lower fibrinogen in your diet. To theminclude:
- sour berries;
- red pepper;
- olive oil;
- citrus fruits (oranges, lemons);
- grenades;
- figs;
- garlic;
- beets;
- sea fish;
- ginger;
- seafood;
- squash.
It is very important to monitor the calorie content of the diet. Overeating contributes to increased blood viscosity. It is necessary to limit the consumption of fats and carbohydrates. Food should be taken at the same time, at least 5 - 6 times a day in small portions.
Traditional medicine
Can folk remedies lower fibrinogen? In most cases, patients with hyperfibrinogenemia require medical treatment. However, home remedies can be a good addition to drug therapy.
The following herbal remedies will help reduce blood viscosity:
- Clover flowers. 30 g of raw materials must be brewed in 1 liter of boiling water. The solution is filtered and drunk 1/2 cup twice a day. However, such treatment must be coordinated with a doctor, since sweet clover has side effects.
- White willow bark. This is a fairly powerful natural anticoagulant, it contains a substance similar to aspirin. Pharmacies sell ready-made tablets "White Willow Bark". To thin the blood, they are taken 1 piece 2-3 times a day.
- Apple cider vinegar. This product removes toxins from the body and thins the blood. Add 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to a glass of water. The prepared composition is drunk in the morning. This remedy is contraindicated in patients with gastrointestinal diseases.
- Kombucha. This drink contains acids (acetic, citric, oxalic) that act as natural antiplatelet agents.
Folk remedies for blood thinning are not recommended before surgery, with hemorrhoids and before menstruation. They can cause severe bleeding.
When Pregnant
How to lower fibrinogen during pregnancy? A high level of this protein can lead to placental abruption, impaired fetal development, thrombosis of the umbilical cord vessels and fetal death. To avoid such consequences, it is necessary to undergo a comprehensive examination to determine the cause of hyperfibrinogenemia. Many medications are contraindicated for pregnant women. Only a doctor can choose a safe blood thinner.
With increased fibrinogen, the expectant mother needs to eat right. You need to regularly include seafood, green tea, vegetables and fruits in your diet. You can also use folk remedies, but before that you need to consult with the attending obstetrician-gynecologist.
It is important to remember that reducing fibrinogen during pregnancy should be done very carefully. A sharp drop in the level of this protein should not be allowed. Its deficiency can lead to preeclampsia, and then to serious blood loss during childbirth. Therefore, the treatment of hyperfibrinogenemia in pregnant women should be carried out under the supervision of a physician.
Conclusion
High concentration of fibrinogen can provoke dangerous pathologies. To avoidserious complications, it is necessary to undergo a course of complex therapy. It is necessary not only to regularly take the medicines prescribed by the doctor, but also to avoid the use of products that contribute to blood clotting. This will help prevent blood clots. In old age, it is necessary to regularly do a coagulogram, this will avoid the occurrence of cardiovascular pathologies.
