med's go on Instagram: "D-dimer is a fibrin degradation product that is elevated in disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) due to excessive fibrinolysis following widespread clot formation. While prolonged PT, aPTT, and thrombocytopenia are commonly seen in DIC, they are not specific since they can occur in other coagulopathies. Increased D-dimer, however, directly reflects ongoing clot breakdown and is one of the most specific markers for DIC. Other conditions, such as deep vein thrombosi