Several conditions can affect prothrombin time, including:
- Vitamin K Deficiency: Vitamin K is essential for the synthesis of clotting factors. A deficiency can prolong PT. - Liver Disease: The liver produces many of the proteins involved in blood clotting. Liver dysfunction can therefore lead to an increased PT. - Anticoagulant Therapy: Medications like warfarin inhibit the synthesis of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors, prolonging PT. - Inherited Clotting Disorders: Conditions such as hemophilia can affect PT, although activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) is usually more informative for these disorders.
