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Tareq Abadl: Bleeding Time (BT) and Clotting Time (CT) Comparison
Dr Tareq Abadl/LinkedIn
Dec 24, 2025, 23:49

Tareq Abadl: Bleeding Time (BT) and Clotting Time (CT) Comparison

Tareq Abadl, Medical Laboratory Specialist and Director of the Blood Bank at Dr. Abdelkader Al-Mutawakkil Hospital, shared a post on LinkedIn:

“Bleeding Time (BT) and Clotting Time (CT)

Tareq Abadl: Bleeding Time (BT) and Clotting Time (CT) Comparison

Bleeding Time (BT)

Purpose:
Used to assess platelet function and capillary integrity.

  • Ivy Method (Standard Method)

Principle:
Measures the time required for bleeding to stop after a standardized skin incision under controlled pressure.

Procedure:

  1. Apply a blood pressure cuff to the upper arm and inflate to 40 mmHg.
  2. Clean the volar surface of the forearm with antiseptic and allow to dry.
  3. Make a standardized incision (approximately 5 mm long and 1 mm deep).
  4. Start the stopwatch immediately.
  5. Blot the blood gently every 30 seconds using filter paper without touching the wound.
  6. Stop timing when bleeding has completely stopped.

Normal Range:
2–7 minutes

  • Duke Method (Older Method)

Principle:
Measures bleeding time after a simple skin puncture.

Procedure:

  1. Prick the earlobe or fingertip with a sterile lancet.
  2. Start timing immediately.
  3. Blot the blood every 30 seconds.
  4. Stop timing once bleeding stops.

Normal Range:
1–3 minutes

This method is less accurate due to poor standardization.

Clotting Time (CT)

Purpose:
Evaluates the intrinsic coagulation pathway and clotting factors.

  • Capillary Tube Method

Principle:
Determines the time taken for blood to clot inside a capillary tube.

Procedure:

  1. Prick the fingertip using a sterile lancet.
  2. Fill a clean, dry capillary tube with blood.
  3. Start the stopwatch immediately.
  4. Break a small piece of the tube every 30 seconds.
  5. Stop timing when a fibrin thread is observed between the broken ends.

Normal Range:
3–8 minutes

  • Lee–White Method (Venous Blood)

Principle:
Measures clotting time using venous blood in glass tubes.

Procedure:

  1. Collect venous blood into clean, dry glass tubes.
  2. Start timing immediately after collection.
  3. Gently tilt the tubes every 30–60 seconds.
  4. Stop timing when the blood no longer flows upon tilting.

Normal Range:
5–15 minutes

Important Notes

Bleeding Time assesses platelet function, not coagulation factors.

Clotting Time assesses coagulation factors, not platelet function.

Both tests are screening tests and have limited clinical use today.”

Explore hematology with Tareq Abadl on Hemostasis Today.

Bleeding Time (BT) Capillary Tube Method Clotting Time (CT) Duke Method Health Hemostasis Hemostasis Today Ivy Method Medicine Tareq Abadl thrombosis
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