Prothrombin time

Prothrombin Time (PT) is a blood test that measures how long it takes for blood to clot. It evaluates the functioning of specific proteins, called clotting factors, that are essential for stopping bleeding. Doctors use PT to monitor patients on blood thinners, to assess liver function, and to diagnose bleeding disorders. The results are usually expressed in seconds or as an International Normalized Ratio (INR), allowing for standardization across different labs. A prolonged PT may indicate issues like liver disease or vitamin K deficiency, requiring further investigation or treatment.