Description

Antithrombin III (AT III) is a naturally occurring protein in the blood that plays a vital role in regulating blood clot formation by inhibiting several enzymes involved in the clotting process, particularly thrombin and factor Xa. It acts as a natural anticoagulant, helping to prevent the formation of blood clots within blood vessels.

The antigenic assay of antithrombin III measures the concentration of antithrombin III protein in the blood. This assay provides information about the level of antithrombin III present in the blood plasma, which is essential for assessing the risk of thrombotic events (excessive clotting) or evaluating the effectiveness of anticoagulant therapy.

Low levels of antithrombin III can predispose individuals to thrombotic disorders, such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), and stroke. Conversely, high levels of antithrombin III may indicate conditions such as liver disease or nephrotic syndrome, or may be a response to anticoagulant therapy.