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Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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PT - Prothrombin Time

Results and Values

What do the test results mean?

The healthy range for a PT test depends on the standards of the lab. It generally falls between 10 to 15 seconds. When a person is taking blood thinners, the international normalized ratio, called the INR, is calculated to determine the correct dosage of the medicine. High PT values may occur when a person:

is taking blood-thinning medicines, especially warfarin

is taking other medicines, such as certain antibiotics, that interfere with the test

has severe liver disease

has disseminated intravascular clotting, called DIC, a complex blood disorder that occurs when clotting mechanisms are activated throughout the body

has certain rare, inherited bleeding disorders

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Abnormally low PT values are usually not significant. However, they may occur when a person:

has cancer

has blood clots

is taking certain medicines, such as birth control pills

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