How to Test for DVT in the Leg
- 1). Make an appointment with your heath care provider. Discuss your symptoms and concerns with your doctor and inform her about your medical history. A higher risk group for DVT includes individuals who have undergone treatment for cancer; are older than 60 years of age; have a deep vein injury resulting from surgery or trauma; are obese, pregnant or on birth control pills; and are in bed for a long time.
- 2). Allow your doctor to perform a physical exam. The doctor will check your legs for signs of DVT---swelling, discoloration and tenderness. Your doctor may also check your blood pressure, heart and lungs.
- 3). Follow your doctor's instructions for DVT diagnostic testing. Your doctor typically will order an ultrasound if he suspects DVT. The test uses waves to create a picture of the structure of the veins in your leg and to measure the speed of the blood flow.
- 4). Give your doctor permission to perform a venography test on your leg if the ultrasound doesn't provide a clear diagnosis. In this test, your doctor injects a dye into your leg vein and takes x-rays of the anatomy of the vein. A slow blood flow indicates a clot in the vein.
- 5). Expect the possibility of giving a blood sample for a d-dimer test. Your doctor may order a d-dimer blood test that measures the amount of substance your body releases when a blood clot breaks. A high d-dimer indicates a possible blood clot.
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