The Fritsma Factor newsletter appeared in my on-box this morning. There was quite a bit of note in this instalment including a rather interesting monograph on the D-dimer assay. I’ll quote one bit if I may: “The D-dimer may be elevated in association with a chronic autoimmune condition such as hypothyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus, or diabetes mellitus. D-dimer elevationalso accompanies sarcoidosis, an upper respiratory infection, a systemic infection, recovery from an injury, recovery from surgery, chronic heart disease, or even lifestyle circumstances such as chronic smoking, obesity, psychosocial stress, and exposure to heat, cold, or physical exertion.”
You *really* can’t take the numbers that the lab generates in isolation…
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