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    Direct Coombs Test (DCT)104480023% off
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    What Is a Direct Coombs Test (DCT) Test?

    The Direct Coombs test, or direct antiglobulin test (DAT), is a diagnostic tool used to detect antibodies that bind to red blood cells (RBCs), causing haemolysis (the rupture of RBCs). This test is particularly important for diagnosing conditions like autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA).

    In AIHA, the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own RBCs, resulting in a decreased RBC count. Symptoms of AIHA may include fatigue, pallor, difficulty breathing, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). The Direct Coombs test (DCT) can help establish whether the immune system is causing these issues.

    A blood sample is required for this test. A positive result means antibodies are present on the RBCs, which can occur in autoimmune haemolytic anaemia, as well as due to certain medications or autoimmune conditions like lupus.

    If you are in Gurgaon, consider getting a DCT test in the city for early detection and better management of your condition.

    Direct Coombs Test (DCT) Test Parameters

    The Direct Coombs test assesses one key parameter – the presence of antibodies attached to red blood cells (RBCs). These antibodies can cause RBCs to break down too rapidly, leading to conditions like anaemia and jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). The blood sample is processed to remove any unbound antibodies, and a special chemical is then used to detect the antibodies that are bound to the RBCs. In autoimmune haemolytic anaemia, the degree of clumping is used to evaluate the seriousness of the condition. This test plays a crucial role in diagnosing and monitoring blood-related disorders, helping to determine if the immune system is attacking the RBCs, and ensuring that proper treatment is given.

    Direct Coombs Test (DCT) Test Preparation

    Here is what you need to know when arranging a Direct Coombs test at home:

    Prerequisites

    In most cases, no fasting or special preparation is required for the Direct Coombs test. Best Time to Get Tested

    The Direct Coombs test can be done at any time of the day.

    Who Should Get a Direct Coombs Test?

    It is recommended for individuals showing signs of anaemia or jaundice, or when a blood transfusion reaction is suspected.

    Cautions Before the Direct Coombs Test

    There are no special precautions to take before undergoing the Direct Coombs test.

    Why Take the Direct Coombs Test (DCT) Test?

    The Direct Coombs test is required when doctors suspect that the body is generating antibodies that attack its own red blood cells (RBCs), causing them to rupture, a process known as haemolysis. This can result in anaemia, where the body lacks sufficient RBCs to transport oxygen effectively.

    The test is especially useful in diagnosing autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA), a condition in which the body’s immune system mistakenly destroys its own RBCs. The test works by detecting antibodies or other substances such as complement proteins on the surface of the RBCs. A positive result indicates that these antibodies are contributing to the destruction of RBCs.

    The Direct Coombs test is also essential in detecting haemolytic transfusion reactions, where the immune system reacts unfavourably to transfused blood. In such cases, the test helps doctors identify the immune reaction, which can be severe and demands immediate treatment. Furthermore, the test is used to diagnose erythroblastosis fetalis (haemolytic disease of the newborn, HDN), where a mother’s immune system produces antibodies against her baby’s RBCs, leading to jaundice and other complications. The test can help determine whether the baby needs treatment.

    Infections like mononucleosis, syphilis, and mycoplasma, or certain medications, can cause the body to generate antibodies that attack RBCs. The Direct Coombs test can identify these triggers.

    Overall, the Direct Coombs test is an indispensable tool for diagnosing and managing conditions where the immune system attacks RBCs.

    FAQs on the Direct Coombs Test (DCT) Test in Gurgaon

    The Direct Coombs test in Gurgaon costs ₹800. This includes hassle-free home sample collection within 60 minutes from the time of booking confirmation, and results will be available within 3 hours following the collection.

    Yes, you can avail home sample collection for the Direct Coombs test with Orange Health Labs in Gurgaon. After confirming your booking, a trained eMedic will collect your sample within 60 minutes, depending on slot availability.

    By detecting antibodies on red blood cells (RBCs), the Direct Coombs test plays a key role in diagnosing conditions like haemolytic anaemia, transfusion reactions, and various infections.

    For the Direct Coombs test at home, fasting is not typically needed. However, make sure to follow your doctor’s advice if any special preparations are needed.

    Follow these steps to book a Direct Coombs test with Orange Health Labs:

    • Search for the Test : Visit the Orange Health website and choose the Direct Coombs test for Gurgaon.

    • Confirm Your Booking : Choose the test, review the guidelines, enter your location, and select a time that suits you.

    • Sample Collection : A trained eMedic will visit your home or selected location to collect the sample.

    • Laboratory Processing : The blood sample will be processed at a laboratory approved by ICMR and accredited by NABL.

    • Receive Results : Results will be shared with you via email or WhatsApp within 3 hours of sample collection, and you can also view them through the Orange Health app.

    In a normal Direct Coombs test result, there are no antibodies attached to RBCs, which gives a negative result. A positive result indicates the presence of antibodies on the red blood cells.

    Following confirmation of your Direct Coombs test booking, an eMedic will collect your sample within 60 minutes. Results are usually available online within 3 hours of the sample collection.

    The frequency of the Direct Coombs test varies depending on your health condition and the advice of your doctor. Consult your doctor to determine the best testing intervals for you.

    The Direct Coombs test checks a single parameter: the attachment of antibodies to red blood cells (RBCs), with results generally being either positive or negative.

    Orange Health provides convenient home testing services for the Direct Coombs test in Gurgaon, covering areas such as Sector 14, Sector 15, Sector 21, Sector 22, Sector 23, Sector 24, Sector 29, Sector 31, Sector 40, Sector 42, Sector 43, Sector 45, Sector 46, Sector 50, Sector 51, Sector 52, Sector 53, Sector 54, Sector 55, Sector 56, DLF Phase 1, DLF Phase 2, DLF Phase 3, DLF Phase 4, and DLF Phase 5.

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    • We do not accept cash payments
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    References

    1. Coombs test: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.  Available from:  https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003344.htm
    2. Cleveland Clinic. Coombs Test: Purpose, Procedure & Result.  Available from:  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/22978-coombs-test
    3. Theis SR, Hashmi MF. Coombs Test.  Available from:  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/books/NBK547707/
    4. Barrett-Connor E. Anemia and infection. The American Journal of Medicine.  Available from:  https://www.amjmed.com/article/0002-9343(72)90073-3/abstract