Generality
Antithrombin III (ATIII) is a protein that helps regulate blood clot formation.
ATIII deficiency can be congenital (autosomal dominant inheritance) or acquired (as in the case of, for example, nephrotic syndrome, estrogen-progestogen therapy, disseminated intravascular coagulation, liver failure, etc.).
The antithrombin III test measures antithrombin III activity (function) and concentration (quantity) in an individual's blood. This analysis is aimed at establishing the causes of inappropriate coagulation phenomena.
