What is Troponin in Blood Test? What is High and Low Troponin Value? Causes & Treatment?
- Health Garden
- Mar 25, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 17, 2024
Troponin test is a test that measures the amount of Troponin in your blood.
Troponin is a protein that controls muscle contraction. There are three different types: troponin C, troponin I and troponin T. Two of these proteins, Troponin I and troponin T, are related to the heart muscle. During a heart attack, blood flow is blocked and heart muscle cells die because they cannot get oxygen from the blood. As a result, the secreted troponin mixes with the blood. Therefore, the troponin value in the blood is used to help diagnose heart attacks. Additionally, troponin test also shows the risk of heart disease.
An increased level of troponin T has been linked with a higher risk of heart disease in people who have no symptoms.
What is A Normal Troponin Value in Blood Test ?
Normal troponin value is troponin T: 0 - 0.1 ng/mL, troponin I: 0 - 0.03 ng/mL . Reference values may vary between laboratories. The reference value of the laboratory where the test is performed should be taken into consideration.
Although the measurement purpose of both types of troponin is the same, troponin T is usually measured because the sensitivity of troponin T protein is higher. Troponin I has lower sensitivity than troponin T. It takes approximately 2 to 6 hours for the troponin I protein to mix with the blood. It continues to be present in the blood for an average of 1 week. Troponin T mixes with the blood from the heart muscle within the first hour and reaches its maximum level at the 24th hour. As with troponin I, it continues to appear in the blood for 1 week.
What is High Troponin Value in Blood Test?
High troponin in a blood test is a value above 0.1 ng/mL for troponin T and 0.03 ng/mL for troponin I.
If the troponin value is high, it usually means there is a damage to the heart muscle.
The level of troponin is directly proportional to the level of heart muscle damage. The more damage there is to the heart, the higher the troponin value becomes.
Although troponin increases with heart muscle damage, elevation of troponin can also occur for other reasons.
What Causes High Troponin Value in Blood Test?
Although troponin usually increases due to heart muscle damage, it may also increase due to some other reasons. Possible causes of high troponin include:
Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction)
Heart failure
Pericarditis
Myocarditis
Pulmonary Embolism
Arrhythmias
Renal Failure
Heart muscle infections
Sepsis
Cardiac surgery
Chronic kidney disease
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Atrial fibrillation
Some drugs
Extreme exertion
High Troponin Symptoms
Depending on the underlying cause, possible symptoms that may occur include:
Chest pain
Pain in neck, back, arms and jaw
Intense sweating
Dizziness
Nausea
Shortness of breath
How to Treat High Troponin Level?
Treatment of increased troponin depends on the underlying cause. If the troponin level is high, healthcare professionals may order other tests to make a definitive diagnosis. If a heart attack is diagnosed, emergency treatment is started. Following medical treatment, a healthy lifestyle such as avoiding smoking and alcohol and paying attention to nutrition under the supervision of a healthcare professional helps the treatment. In addition, a calmer, stress-free life will positively affect overall health.
What is Low Troponin in Blood Test?
The lower reference value of troponin in your blood is zero. A result of zero is called troponin negative. This situation is positive for your health. It indicates that there is no damage to the heart muscle.