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  1. Home
  2. Health Library
  3. Tests
  4. Bleeding time

Bleeding time

Tests

Bleeding time is a medical test that measures how fast small blood vessels in the skin stop bleeding.

A blood pressure cuff is inflated around your upper arm. While the cuff is on your arm, the health care provider makes two small cuts on the lower arm. They are just deep enough to cause a tiny amount of bleeding.

The blood pressure cuff is immediately deflated. Blotting paper is touched to the cuts every 30 seconds until the bleeding stops. The provider records the time it takes for the cuts to stop bleeding.

Certain medicines can change blood test results.

  • Tell your provider about all the medicines you take.
  • Your provider will tell you if you need to temporarily stop taking any medicines before you have this test. This may include dextran and aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
  • DO NOT stop or change your medicines without talking to your doctor first.

How the Test will Feel

The tiny cuts are very shallow. Most people say it feels like a skin scratch.

Why the Test is Performed

This test helps diagnose bleeding problems.

Normal Results

Bleeding normally stops within 1 to 9 minutes. However, values may vary from lab to lab.

What Abnormal Results Mean

Longer-than-normal bleeding time may be due to:

  • Blood vessel defect
  • Platelet aggregation defect (clumping problem with platelets, which are parts of the blood that helps the blood clot)
  • Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count)

Risks

There is a very slight risk of infection where the skin is cut.

References

Chernecky CC, Berger BJ. Bleeding time, ivy - blood. In: Chernecky CC, Berger BJ, eds. Laboratory Tests and Diagnostic Procedures. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2013:181-266.

Pai M. Laboratory evaluation of hemostatic and thrombotic disorders. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Silberstein LE, et al, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 129.

BACK TO TOP

Review Date: 1/29/2019

Reviewed By: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

 
 
 

 

 

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Self Care

  • Vaginal bleeding in early pregnancy

Tests for Bleeding time

  • Bleeding time

Related Information

  • Thrombocytopenia

  • Acquired platelet function defect

  • Congenital platelet function defects

  • Von Willebrand disease

Daily Health and Medical News

Results for bleeding, bleeding time, time

  • AHA News: Blood Clots, Uncontrolled Bleeding and a Stroke – All After Giving Birth
    November 26, 2019

  • Aspirin, Anti-Clotting Meds Safe After Bleeding Stroke: Study
    May 22, 2019

  • Experimental Blood Thinner May Help Prevent Stroke, Without the Bleeding Risk
    April 18, 2019

  • Smallest Tots Spending Too Much Time on Screens
    November 25, 2019

  • Time to Rethink Ideas About Exercise, Sickle Cell Disease?
    November 19, 2019

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