Prothrombin time (PT)

A prothrombin time (PT) test measures how many seconds it takes for a clot to form in a blood sample. Since the results of this test can vary with different labs or test methods, your results may be used to create an INR (international normalized ratio). Using this ratio makes it easier for health care providers to compare and better understand results from different labs or test methods.

Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine

Normal range

1113seconds →normal
Normal
11–15.5 seconds (varies by lab) ABIM 11–13 · ARUP 12–15.5 seconds

These labs do not agree: the published adult ranges differ by up to 19%, so the same result can read as normal at one lab and be flagged at another — ABIM 11–13 · ARUP 12–15.5 seconds. Both are real published values, shown as each lab states them.

Ranges from ARUP Laboratories Test Directory, American Board of Internal Medicine (Laboratory Test Reference Ranges).

All 4 source ranges

What an abnormal result can be associated with

A high result
Prolonged prothrombin time
A low result
Decreased prothrombin time

Associations from LOINC2HPO (Human Phenotype Ontology). This is reference information, not a diagnosis — only a clinician can interpret your result in context.

Details

Sample
Serum or plasma · LOINC
Part of
PT panel
Listed under
Bleeding Disorders · Blood Clots · Hemophilia
Code
LOINC 5902-2 · seconds
Also known as
Fac, Clottable, Fact, Prothrombin time, Clot