Is there another non-liver condition that leads to abnormal PT levels?
Yes. Actually, liver problems are an indirect cause of abnormal prothrombin time levels. There are additional causes and more direct alterations. For example:
- Vitamin K deficiency causes ineffective blood clotting because it is a cofactor to activate these proteins
- A genetic defect in coagulation factor VII causes a longer PT time with normal PTT levels
- Disseminated intravascular coagulation can also be detected with a prolonged PT time
- Warfarin use increases PT measures, and this is especially prevalent in cases of overdose
