troponin test

Troponin test is the latest advancement in cardiac test aids. They are more sensitive than standard aids to measure heart conditions mainly heart attacks. This is because they become positive faster and so they help diagnose heart problems rapidly. Read on to know more about Troponin test.

To understand what is Troponin test, you must first know what Troponin in blood means; what is Troponin I and Troponin T.

Troponin is a group of three proteins:

• Troponin C

• Troponin T

• Troponin I

Now, exactly what is Troponin I and T as cardiac makers? Only Troponin I and Troponin T regulate heart muscle and tissue contraction, not Troponin C.

Now, back to what is Troponin test? A Troponin test can measure the levels of Troponin in blood. These proteins are released after damage to the heart muscles. The greater the damage to the heart, the higher the Troponin levels in the blood.

Troponin levels may be rise approximately 4 or 6 hours after heart damage. Troponin in blood continues to remain raised up to 2 weeks thus providing a greater time range to detect the problem. In angina patients, raised Troponin levels means aggravation in the condition and high risk of heart failure.

However, Troponin test should not be the only investigation to diagnose a heart problem. It should be combined with physical examination, medical information, ECG, etc.

• Raised Troponin T and raised Troponin I indicates cardiac problems, but this can also include causes other than heart attack like myocarditis, coronary artery spasm from cocaine, severe cardiac failure, cardiac trauma from surgery or accident, and pulmonary embolus.

• If no rise in either Troponin levels is detected that does not eliminate the possibility of an ischaemic heart.

• Troponin in blood may also rise in cases of chronic renal failure. However, in heart attack, they rise and fall, but in renal failure the rise is constant.

Overall Troponin I test is more sensitive and more specific than Troponin T test in the diagnosis of heart defects when compared to the conventional cardiac tests. So, it is emerging as the more preferred test for heart problems.

Troponin I test cost range varies from city to city and whether you are doing it at a hospital or diagnostic centre. Troponin I test cost at Portea is 1199 INR.

Troponin I test procedure is a quick, simple test using a few milliliters of blood from the patient’s vein. The test timing must be minimum 6 to 12 hours after the start of cardiac symptoms. No prior test preparation is required. The procedure takes around 10 minutes only using a rapid test kit. A blood sample is drawn by a needle from a vein in your hand/finger.

Troponin I card test is the most reliable Troponin I test. According to a study: “The Troponin I Test Device (Whole Blood/Serum/Plasma) has been compared with a leading commercial cTnI EIA test, demonstrating an overall accuracy of 98.5%.” (Ref: www.ekoweb.fi/images/pdf/Cardiac_Troponin_I.pdf)

Troponin I test procedure is a qualitative test to detect raised Troponin I levels in whole blood/serum/plasma. The blood sample can be drawn either by fingerstick or venipuncture method. The blood sample is added to a handy test device using various other aids like droppers, capillary tubes, etc. This device is like a quick reader with markers as indicators.

A normal range of Troponin I test is below 0.04 ng/mL. Troponin concentration over Troponin normal range that is at 0.40 ng/mL and higher, could be an indicator of a heart injury: Please consult a doctor. Troponin concentrations of 0.04-0.39 ng/mL may require a series of Troponin test. Over 0.40 ng/mL is well outside the Troponin normal range and needs immediate doctor consultation.

Our Troponin I test costs are reasonable, as discussed earlier. We collect sample blood from home and deliver a report to your/family member’s email. The report is usually delivered in 48 hours. Hard copies are delivered in select cities at extra 100 INR.

If results are not within the Troponin normal range, you can also consult our doctors at home, at a range of costs for different cities.

Please note that the Troponin I card test does not measure the quantitative Troponin normal range/value nor the rate of increase in Troponin I. It only reports the qualitative Troponin I level. So, as already mentioned it should not be the only test for the diagnosis of heart problems. We have also mentioned the normal range of Troponin I test and other details. But it is always good to consult our doctors for final diagnosis.