Newcastle Laboratories

Factor XIII Assay

Clinical Background:

Factor XIII (also known as Fibrin Stabilising Factor) is an enzyme of the blood coagulation system that corss-links and stabilises fibrin during clot formation. It is activated by thrombin when fib...

Factor XIII (also known as Fibrin Stabilising Factor) is an enzyme of the blood coagulation system that corss-links and stabilises fibrin during clot formation. It is activated by thrombin when fibrinogen is converted to fibrin. The results of clotting screening tests are all normal, as the clot forms normally, but is not stable. The assay is used in the investigation of easy bruising/bleeding and other cases where a bleeding disorder must be ruled out. it is inherited as an autosomal recessive disorder and symptoms are not usually seen in heterzygotes, with levels needing to be <1% for clinical symptoms to manifest. The classical feature of severe Factor XIII deficiency is a bleeding umbilical stump - the clot breaks down after initial formation when the cord is cut

Read More

Test Details

  • Discipline:

    Haemostasis

    Haemostasis

  • Specimen Container Adult:

    Light blue - sodium citrate

    Light blue - sodium citrate

  • Specimen Container Paediatric:

    Light blue - sodium citrate

    Light blue - sodium citrate

  • Minimum Volume Adult:

    2.7mL

    2.7mL

  • Minimum Volume Paediatric:

    1.3mL

    1.3mL

  • Special Requirement:

    Tube must be correctly filled to line, to ensure correct ratio of blood to anticoagulant, ensure adequate mixing.

    Tube must be correctly filled to line, to ensure correct ratio of blood to anticoagulant, ensure adequate mixing.

  • Sample Stability:

    4 hrs

    4 hrs

  • Transport Requirements:

    Samples should be transported to lab without delay

    Samples should be transported to lab without delay

  • Freq Analysis:

    As required or weekly

    As required or weekly

  • Add On Test:

  • Quality Assurance:

    UK NEQAS Blood Coagulation

    UK NEQAS Blood Coagulation

  • Reference Ranges:

    50 - 150IU/dL

     

    Note: For Haemostatic tests, paediatric reference ranges may be different to adult ranges. Please see

    https://www.newcastlelaboratories.com/lab_service/core-247/

    for details.

    50 - 150IU/dL

     

    Note: For Haemostatic tests, paediatric reference ranges may be different to adult ranges. Please see

    https://www.newcastlelaboratories.com/lab_service/core-247/

    for details.

  • Other Info:

    A quantitative assay of coagulation factor XIII.

    A quantitative assay of coagulation factor XIII.

  • Routine Contact Name:

    RVI or Freeman Section Leaders

  • Routine Telephone:

    RVI: 0191 2820332, Freeman: 0191 2231195

    RVI: 0191 2820332, Freeman: 0191 2231195

  • Specialist Test:

    Yes

    Yes

  • Specialist Contact Name:

    Haematology and Haemostasis Healthcare Scientist

    Haematology and Haemostasis Healthcare Scientist

  • Specialist Telephone:

    0191 2139758

    0191 2139758

  • Specialist Email:

    alison.brown93@nhs.net

    alison.brown93@nhs.net

Availability:

Discuss with laboratory.

Out of hours discuss with on call Specialist Registrar.

Turn Around:

14 days, urgent on request

View all tests