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Test Code FXIII Factor XIII (13), Screen, Plasma


Specimen Required


Only orderable as part of a profile. For more information see ALBLD / Bleeding Diathesis Profile, Limited, Plasma.


Useful For

Screening for factor XIII deficiency

Method Name

Only orderable as part of a profile. For more information see ALBLD / Bleeding Diathesis Profile, Limited, Plasma.

 

Clot-Based

Reporting Name

Factor XIII(13),Scrn

Specimen Type

Plasma Na Cit

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Plasma Na Cit Frozen 14 days

Reject Due To

Gross hemolysis Reject
Gross lipemia Reject
Gross icterus Reject

Clinical Information

Factor XIII is found in plasma and platelets. Plasma factor XIII consists of 2 A-subunits and 2 B-subunits; platelet factor XIII consists of only 2 A-subunits. After factor XIII is activated by thrombin, it catalyzes the formation of peptide bonds between adjacent molecules of fibrin monomers, thus conferring mechanical and chemical stability to the fibrin clot. Fibrin that is not covalently cross-linked exhibits an increased susceptibility to fibrinolysis.

 

Congenital factor XIII deficiency is an autosomal recessive bleeding disorder. Homozygous individuals (FXIII <1%) experience soft tissue hemorrhage, hemarthrosis, and hematomas. Typically, affected patients suffer from delayed bleeding occurring 24 to 48 hours after the initial hemostatic response to an injury. In newborns, bleeding from the umbilical stump may occur after separation of the umbilical cord, as well as intracranial bleeding. Poor wound healing and abnormal scar formation is also observed. Heterozygous carriers may be asymptomatic; however, females may experience recurrent spontaneous abortions.

 

Acquired factor XIII deficiency is rare and typically occurs as a result of development of autoantibodies. These patients develop adult-onset bleeding.

Reference Values

Only orderable as part of a profile. For more information see ALBLD / Bleeding Diathesis Profile, Limited, Plasma.

 

Normal

Interpretation

Normally, no clot dissolution is observed after 30 minutes in 1% monochloroacetic acid. Clot dissolution begins once factor XIII levels are reduced to 1% or 2%.

Cautions

A normal factor XIII screen does not exclude the possibility of mild heterozygous deficiency of factor XIII.

Method Description

The covalent stabilization of fibrin by thrombin-activated factor XIII (XIIIa) is the final event in the coagulation of blood. Plasma factor XIII (fibrin-stabilizing factor) zymogen consists of 2 "A" and 2 "B" subunits, the "A" subunits containing an active-center sulfydryl grouping mediating the transamidase activity of the enzyme. The action of thrombin converts fibrinogen to fibrin monomer causing the monomeric molecules to polymerize and be held together by noncovalent hydrogen bonds. These bonds can be broken by 5 M urea or weak acid solutions in the absence of factor XIII. Subsequent to fibrin polymerization by hydrogen bonding, the action of factor XIII results in the formation of covalent bonds that cannot be broken by 5 M urea or weak acid solutions as used in this procedure (1% monochloroacetic acid). Dissolution of a clot by urea or monochloroacetic acid is therefore a qualitative test for factor XIII activity.(Owen CA Jr, Bowie EJW, Thompson JH Jr. Diagnosis of Bleeding Disorders. 2nd ed. Little, Brown and Company; 1975; Meijer P, Verbruggen HW, Spannagl M. Clotting factors and inhibitors: Assays and Interpretation. In: Kottke-Marchant K, David BH. Laboratory Hematology Practice. Wiley Blackwell Publishing; 2012:435-446)

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Friday

Report Available

1 to 4 days

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Test Classification

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

CPT Code Information

85291

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
FXIII Factor XIII(13),Scrn 3241-7

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
9068 Factor XIII(13),Scrn 3241-7