Bleeding time

Normal values:

The bleeding stops within 1 to 9 minutes. This may vary from lab to lab, depending on how the test is measured.

What abnormal results mean:

Prolonged bleeding time may indicate:

• a vascular (blood vessel) defect
• a platelet function defect (see platelet aggregation)
• thrombocytopenia

Drugs that may increase bleeding times include dextran, indomethacin, and salicylates (including high doses of aspirin).

Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:

• acquired platelet function defect
• congenital platelet function defects
• congenital protein C or S deficiency
• deep intracerebral hemorrhage
• factor V deficiency
• hemophilia A
• hemophilia B
• hemorrhagic stroke
• hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage
• intracerebral hemorrhage
• lobar intracerebral hemorrhage
• primary thrombocythemia
• Von Willebrand's disease