Dysfibrinogenemia is characterized by which of the following?

• A. Reduced fibrinogen production
• B. Absent fibrinogen
• C. Normal fibrinogen levels with dysfunctional fibrinogen
• D. Excess functional fibrinogen

Answer: (C)

Dysfibrinogenemia is a qualitative abnormality of fibrinogen where the amount present in the blood is normal, but the fibrinogen molecule is defective and cannot form a proper fibrin clot. In laboratory terms, the fibrinogen level (antigen or concentration) can be within the reference range, while a functional test shows reduced activity or abnormal clot formation because the abnormal fibrinogen cannot polymerize correctly or is processed improperly during clotting. This mismatch—normal quantity with impaired function—is what characterizes dysfibrinogenemia. Clinically, patients may have bleeding tendencies or thrombotic complications depending on the nature of the defect.

So, the description that best fits is normal fibrinogen levels with dysfunctional fibrinogen. The other scenarios describe quantitative problems (reduced production or absence) or an unrealistic excess of functional fibrinogen, which do not reflect the condition.