Factor XIII Functional Test: Booking, Price, and Results
About Factor XIII Functional Test
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | Fibrin Stabilising Factor Test, FXIII Activity Test, Factor XIII Clot Solubility Test |
| Sample Type | Venous blood |
| Fasting Required | Not required |
| Report Time | 2 days |
| Recommended For | All genders and ages; particularly neonates with umbilical cord bleeding and individuals with unexplained bleeding disorders |
| Price | Starts at ₹560 |
What Is a Factor XIII Functional Test?
The factor XIII functional test measures the activity of factor XIII, a protein that plays a key role in stabilising blood clots after they form. Doctors order this test when a patient has unexplained bleeding but routine clotting tests have come back normal. It is also known as the fibrin stabilising factor test, FXIII activity test, or factor XIII clot solubility test. A venous blood sample collected in a citrate tube is used for the analysis.
What Does a Factor XIII Functional Test Measure?
The test evaluates how factor XIII behaves in the body. Here is what it tells us:
| Parameter | What It Assesses |
|---|---|
| Factor XIII Activity | The ability of Factor XIII to cross-link fibrin strands and form a stable clot, expressed as a percentage of normal activity |
Factor XIII works like a molecular glue. It converts loosely held fibrin strands into a tightly bonded mesh, giving the clot strength and durability.
Why Is a Factor XIII Functional Test Done?
This test is requested when there is a suspicion that the blood's clotting process is not completing properly, even when standard tests appear normal.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
The following symptoms may prompt a doctor to order a factor XIII clot solubility test or functional assay:
- Prolonged or uncontrolled bleeding from an umbilical cord stump in newborns
- Unexpected bleeding after surgery or minor injuries
- Spontaneous bleeding into joints or muscles
- Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding
- Recurrent miscarriages without a clear explanation
- Poor or delayed wound healing
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
The fibrin stabilising factor test can help identify several conditions, including:
- Congenital factor XIII deficiency, an inherited bleeding disorder
- Acquired factor XIII deficiency linked to liver disease, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), or autoimmune conditions
- Malignancy, certain medications, or sepsis causing reduced factor XIII levels
- Inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis affecting factor XIII levels
- Unexplained prolonged bleeding when all routine coagulation tests return normal results
Factor XIII Functional Test for Chronic Disease Monitoring
For patients already diagnosed with factor XIII deficiency, this test is used to check whether replacement therapy is working. Regular testing helps confirm that factor XIII levels remain within a safe range before and after each treatment dose. The frequency of testing depends on the individual's treatment plan.
How to Prepare and What to Expect
No special preparation is needed for this test, but there are a few steps that will help ensure accurate results.
Do You Need to Fast?
No, fasting is not required before a factor XIII functional test. You can eat and drink normally before your appointment. If you are also having other tests done at the same time, ask your doctor whether those require fasting.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
A few simple steps before sample collection can help avoid errors in your results:
- Tell your doctor about all medications you take, especially anticoagulants (blood-thinning medicines) such as warfarin or heparin
- If possible, avoid warfarin for two weeks and heparin for two days before the test, as directed by your doctor
- Inform your doctor if you have had a recent blood transfusion, as this can temporarily alter Factor XIII levels
- Drink enough water before your appointment to keep veins easy to access
Step-by-Step Procedure
Here is what happens from the moment you sit down for sample collection:
- A phlebotomist selects a suitable vein, usually in the inner arm, and ties an elastic band around the upper arm to make the vein more visible.
- The skin is cleaned with an antiseptic swab to reduce infection risk.
- A small needle is used to draw blood into a special light blue-top tube containing a citrate solution.
- The tube is gently inverted several times immediately after collection to mix the blood with the anticoagulant properly.
- The sample is centrifuged (spun at high speed) within one hour of collection to separate the plasma.
- The processed sample is labelled and dispatched to the laboratory for analysis.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
Certain factors may influence the reliability of your results:
- Anticoagulant medications such as warfarin or heparin
- Recent blood transfusions, which can temporarily raise factor XIII levels
- Sample haemolysis (breakdown of red blood cells during or after collection)
- Very high haematocrit levels, which require adjustment of the citrate volume in the collection tube
- Delayed processing or improper sample handling
Understanding Your Factor XIII Functional Test Results
Results should always be reviewed alongside your full medical history. The table below provides general reference ranges:
| Parameter | Normal |
|---|---|
| Factor XIII Activity | 50% to 150% of normal clotting time (measured in seconds) |
These ranges are general guidelines. Your doctor will interpret your results based on your age, health history, and other factors. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised medical advice.
Results During Special Conditions
Certain situations can make results harder to interpret. Low fibrinogen levels (hypofibrinogenaemia) or abnormal fibrinogen (dysfibrinogenaemia) can produce a false positive on a clot solubility test, suggesting deficiency when none exists. In critically ill patients who have undergone major surgery, severe trauma, or sepsis, factor XIII levels may be low due to consumption rather than a true inherited deficiency. A recent blood transfusion can temporarily normalise low levels and mask a genuine deficiency.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
These are general wellness pointers, not treatment recommendations. Always follow your doctor's guidance.
- Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments if you have a known factor XIII deficiency.
- Inform every healthcare provider, including dentists and surgeons, about your condition before any procedure.
- Avoid activities that carry a high risk of injury if you have been told your factor XIII levels are low.
Lupin Diagnostics Factor XIII Functional Test Price and Home Collection
The factor XIII functional test price at Lupin Diagnostics starts at ₹560, and home sample collection is available for your convenience. The table below shows indicative prices across major cities in India:
| City | Approximate Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| Mumbai | ₹560 |
| Bengaluru | ₹560 |
| Chennai | ₹560 |
| Hyderabad | ₹560 |
| Kolkata | ₹560 |
| Pune | ₹560 |
Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.
How to Book
- Select the test on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
- Choose your city and preferred time slot.
- Opt for home sample collection by a certified phlebotomist, or visit your nearest Lupin Diagnostics centre.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within the stipulated turnaround time.
Home Collection
Lupin Diagnostics offers home sample collection for the factor XIII functional test across multiple cities in India. All samples are processed in NABL-accredited laboratories by trained professionals. Your digital report is delivered securely via email or WhatsApp once ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
Factor XIII, also called the fibrin stabilising factor, is a protein that strengthens blood clots once they form. It works by cross-linking fibrin strands into a firm, stable mesh. Without adequate factor XIII, clots can form but break down too easily, leading to prolonged or delayed bleeding.
No. Standard clotting tests such as prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) return normal results in people with Factor XIII deficiency. A dedicated factor XIII functional test is the only way to identify this specific deficiency.
Prolonged, uncontrolled bleeding from the umbilical cord stump is the first sign in around 80% of newborns with this condition. This symptom at birth is considered a strong indicator for testing and warrants prompt medical evaluation.
Yes. Women with inherited factor XIII deficiency may experience heavy menstrual bleeding and recurrent pregnancy losses. Replacement therapy given during pregnancy can significantly reduce the risk of miscarriage. Any woman with a suspected deficiency should discuss this with a specialist before or during pregnancy.
Congenital deficiency is inherited and caused by mutations in specific genes (F13A1 or F13B). An acquired deficiency develops during a person's lifetime due to autoimmune antibodies that attack factor XIII or because of reduced production or excessive consumption in conditions such as severe liver disease, sepsis, or major surgery.
Acquired deficiency can result from liver disease (which reduces production), disseminated intravascular coagulation, certain medications such as isoniazid or phenytoin, autoimmune conditions, and inflammatory disorders including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. In critically ill patients, major surgery or severe trauma can also deplete factor XIII levels rapidly.
The frequency depends on the individual's treatment plan. Patients on replacement therapy are typically tested before and after each treatment dose to confirm that factor XIII levels are within a safe range. Your doctor will advise on the appropriate testing schedule.
Factor XIII Functional Test: Booking, Price, and Results
