FibrinogenPosted 9 years ago under Uncategorized

Fibrinogen is a high molecular weight soluble glycoprotein that is produced by the liver. Fibrinogen is necessary for normal blood platelet functions and it is also needed in order to heal wounds. Fibrinogen plays an important role in blood clotting, and without a doubt some amount of Fibrinogen is necessary to form blood clots. Fibrinogen increases blood viscosity and coaguability. Fibrinogen, with the help of the enzyme thrombin, and ionized calcium breaks down in order to form fibrin; also referred to as factor I. Fibrin is also referred to as clotting factor. When blood clots, fibrin threads adhere to form the base structure of a blood clot. (1) Fibrinogen and its end product fibrin are the only known coagulable protein in the blood of vertebrates. (2)

Numerous studies have shown that elevated levels of fibrinogen are a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Elevated fibrinogen levels are considered to be as much of a serious a risk factor for cardiovascular disease as hypertension, cigarette smoking, and diabetes.

Despite the extensive research there is still some debate among experts as to whether or not elevated levels of fibrinogen actually cause health problems. Because elevated levels of fibrinogen could also be the result of other pathological conditions, it is unclear as to exactly how harmful excessive fibrinogen is to the body. (3)

Fibrinogen and Stress

Fibrinogen levels are elevated in times of stress. This happens during a fight or flight response to a perceived threat. This stress-induced elevation of fibrinogen is due to the fact that fibrinogen helps to provide some protection against excessive bleeding.

Unfortunately chronic stress tends to promote excessive fibrinogen levels. Excessive fibrinogen levels are likely to lead to a number of health problems, though this has yet to be proven irrefutably. One of the better known problems associated with excessive fibrinogen is the tendency for it to promote plaque formation on the arteries.

Fibrinogen serves a survival purpose of inhibiting blood loss from minor injuries in dangerous situations. However when people are subject to chronic stress the resulting excessive fibrinogen levels are likely to cause serious harm to the body’s cardiovascular system, and possibly disrupt the normal function of other important physiological systems. (4)

Normal amounts of fibrinogen in blood vary from 100 mg to 700 mg per 100 ml of blood. (5)

Sources

(1) http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/fibrinogen
(2) http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/fibrinogen/tab/test/
(3) Alan R. Gaby, MD. Nutritional Medicine.
(4) Alan R. Gaby, MD. Nutritional Medicine.
(5) http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/fibrinogen