Troponin is a protein that is found in cardiac and skeletal muscles and is needed for the contraction of these muscles. It stays inside the heart muscle’s cells and appears only in case the muscle is damaged, like in the case of a heart attack. While many conditions can cause elevated levels of troponin, a heart attack is the most common.
In the case of heart muscle damage, two types of troponin are more noticeable:
- Troponin I (cTnI): It is unique to the heart muscle
- Troponin T (cTnT): Although it exists in other types of muscle, the amount is very limited. Troponin T in the heart muscle also has a slightly different structure that doesn’t occur anywhere else in your body.
Troponin T test price may vary depending on the diagnostic and pathology facility and the type of test chosen.
What is a Trop T test?
A Troponin T test is performed to look for the level of troponin in a blood sample. In case of a heart attack, blood flow that brings oxygen to part of the heart muscle suddenly gets blocked, leading to damage or death to part of the heart muscle cells and release of troponin. Elevated levels of troponin in the blood may indicate significant heart damage, which can help healthcare providers determine the severity of a heart attack.
Purpose
The test is performed to establish whether a patient’s symptoms are related to an issue related to the heart. Even a small quantity of troponin may suggest potential injury to the cardiac muscle. It helps detect acute coronary syndrome (ACS) which is related to a group of diseases that describe reduced blood flow to the heart, including:
Heart attack: Also called acute myocardial infarction (MI), it happens when the blood supply to the heart is obstructed.
Unstable angina: It is caused by insufficient blood flow to the heart and is characterised by chest pain or discomfort.
Troponin testing is also used to evaluate patients after surgery that could affect the heart. Measuring troponin levels before and after the surgery can help detect any damage or injury to the heart. It may be performed along with other cardiac marker tests, such as CPK isoenzymes or myoglobin.
When should you get this test?
Your healthcare provider might advise this test if you’ve exhibited symptoms indicative of a heart attack. If you find yourself in a hospital or emergency room displaying potential signs of a heart attack, your doctor is likely to include a Trop T test as part of your overall medical assessment. Troponin levels typically start to rise within two to three hours after the onset of a heart attack.
It is crucial to seek medical attention if you experience symptoms suggestive of a heart attack. Some common indicators include:
- Chest pain
- Squeezing sensation in the chest
- Pain in one or both arms
- Sudden fatigue or weakness
- Feeling tired
- Heartburn
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sweating
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling faint or lightheaded
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
Taking the Troponin T test
There are no special preparations required for taking this test. It simply involves taking a blood sample from a vein in the arm. A phlebotomist or another qualified professional will skillfully insert an intravenous (IV) needle into a vein, usually in the arm, drawing blood in one or more test tubes. It is a quick test and requires only a few minutes. After the blood draw, the healthcare provider may place a bandage over the area on the arm where the blood was drawn. It is important to inform your doctor if you take Vitamin B7 (also known as biotin) and what dose you take.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis, treatment, and interpretation of test results.
