Test Details
Methodology
Clot solubility.6 The plasma is treated with thrombin to induce clot formation and the clot is transferred to a 5 molar urea solution. Clots from individuals with normal factor XIII levels are stable for at least 24 hours while clots from factor XIII deficient individuals will dissolve rapidly.
Result Turnaround Time
3 - 4 days
Turnaround time is defined as the usual number of days from the date of pickup of a specimen for testing to when the result is released to the ordering provider. In some cases, additional time should be allowed for additional confirmatory or additional reflex tests. Testing schedules may vary.
Use
This is a screening assay and will detect homozygous deficiency of factor XIII.
Special Instructions
If the patient's hematocrit exceeds 55%, the volume of citrate in the collection tube must be adjusted. Refer to Coagulation Collection Procedures for directions.
Limitations
This assay is a screening assay only. It will only be abnormal when factor XIII levels are less than 1% to 2%. To determine FXIII activity, a quantitative functional FXIII assay is recommended.
Custom Additional Information
Factor XIII is a large (320 kilodalton) tetrameric molecule that is composed of two A-chains and two B-chains, A2B2.6-8 Factor XIII is activated by thrombin in the presence of calcium. The primary function of activated factor XIII (XIIIa) is to catalyze the formation of covalent bonds between fibrin molecules stabilizing the fibrin clot. Factor XIII converts loosely hydrogen-bonded monomers into covalently bonded fibrin polymer. The resultant clot has increased tensile strength and is resistant to fibrinolysis. Factor XIII deficiency should be considered when a patient with excessive bleeding has both normal protime (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT).6
Congenital factor XIII deficiency is rare (less than one case per million individuals) and is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait.6 Individuals who are heterozygous for the deficiency are generally asymptomatic, although some cases of bleeding in heterozygotes have been reported with provocation.9 Homozygotes have symptoms than can present as umbilical stump bleeding, bleeding after circumcision, and excessive bleeding during teething.6 Intracranial hemorrhage can occur spontaneously in up to 30% of cases. The homozygous condition is associated with spontaneous abortions in females and infertility in males.6 Excessive bleeding can be observed after trauma or surgical procedures and wound healing can be delayed. Acquired deficiency can occur due to autoantibody production to factor XIII. Autoantibody development can sometimes occur in association with certain drugs, including isoniazid, penicillin, and phenytoin.6 Factor XIII levels can also become decreased in individuals with disseminated intravascular coagulation, severe liver disease, acute leukemia, Henoch-Schönlein purpura, Crohn's disease, or ulcerative colitis.7
Specimen Requirements
Specimen
Plasma, frozen
Volume
1 mL
Container
Blue-top (sodium citrate) tube
Collection Instructions
Blood should be collected in a blue-top tube containing 3.2% buffered sodium citrate.1 Evacuated collection tubes must be filled to completion to ensure a proper blood-to-anticoagulant ratio.2,3 The sample should be mixed immediately by gentle inversion at least six times to ensure adequate mixing of the anticoagulant with the blood. A discard tube is not required prior to collection of coagulation samples unless the sample is collected using a winged (butterfly) collection system. With a winged blood collection set a discard tube should be drawn first to account for the dead space of the tubing and prevent under-filling of the evacuated tube.4,5 When noncitrate tubes are collected for other tests, collect sterile and nonadditive (red-top) tubes prior to citrate (blue-top) tubes. Any tube containing an alternative anticoagulant should be collected after the blue-top tube. Gel-barrier tubes and serum tubes with clot initiators should also be collected after the citrate tubes. To avoid delays in turnaround time when requesting multiple tests on frozen samples, please submit separate frozen specimens for each test requested.
Please print and use the Volume Guide for Coagulation Testing to ensure proper draw volume.
Reference Range
Normal
Storage Instructions
Freeze.
Patient Preparation
Avoid warfarin (Coumadin®) therapy for two weeks and heparin therapy for two days prior to the test. Do not draw from an arm with a heparin lock or heparinized catheter.
Causes for Rejection
Gross hemolysis; clotted specimen; frozen specimen thawed in transit; improper labeling
Footnotes
LOINC® Map
| Order Code | Order Code Name | Order Loinc | Result Code | Result Code Name | UofM | Result LOINC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 086330 | Factor XIII | 3241-7 | 086330 | Factor XIII | 3241-7 | |
| Order Code | 086330 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Factor XIII | |||||
| Order Loinc | 3241-7 | |||||
| Result Code | 086330 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Factor XIII | |||||
| UofM | ||||||
| Result LOINC | 3241-7 |