Prothrombin Time (PT)

Prothrombin Time (PT) is a blood test that measures how long it takes for blood to clot. It helps assess the function of certain clotting factors in the blood, which are essential for stopping bleeding. The test is often used to monitor patients on blood-thinning medications or to diagnose clotting disorders. Results are usually expressed in seconds, and sometimes a ratio called the International Normalized Ratio (INR) is used for consistency. Knowing PT helps doctors ensure patients maintain proper blood clotting levels, balancing the risk of excessive bleeding or clotting.