I realize that I've posted some rather controversial questions before. This may be another one that elicits some interesting responses.
Having had a stroke a few months ago, because I trusted my meter (my actual INR, when tested at the hospital was 1.7) and stretching my testing out beyond a week at a time, I decided to try to take even better control of my INR monitoring.
I've compared tests made with my InRatio and InRatio2 meters and my Protime meters to a hospital lab. The InRatio seems to always be .4-.7 higher than the labs, so anything from 2.9-4.1 or so keeps me comfortable that my actual INR is in my range of 2.5-3.5.
At my anticoagulation clinic (I started going there after my stroke, but still self-test and self manage), if they don't ask me to get a blood draw, they test with a Hemochron Signature meter. This is a small meter, designed for use in Operating Rooms, at hospitals, etc., and is supposed to give results that are very close to lab results. I'm thinking that it may not be a bad idea to put my life into the results from this lab quality meter, rather than into something less accurate.
I just got one, used, presumably from a clinic or hospital. It appears to need more QC testing than the CoaguChek XS or the InRatio meters -- but may, possibly, give better results.
I'm looking for the QC testers for this meter. I'm not sure if it'll even let me run a test without doing quality control.
I think that I'll be able to buy the PT test strips, but may not be able to use the meter without doing some quality control first.
Have any of you used a Hemochron? Have any of you encountered labs that do?
Am I an idiot for even THINKING that I'll be able to use a hospital grade meter?
Having had a stroke a few months ago, because I trusted my meter (my actual INR, when tested at the hospital was 1.7) and stretching my testing out beyond a week at a time, I decided to try to take even better control of my INR monitoring.
I've compared tests made with my InRatio and InRatio2 meters and my Protime meters to a hospital lab. The InRatio seems to always be .4-.7 higher than the labs, so anything from 2.9-4.1 or so keeps me comfortable that my actual INR is in my range of 2.5-3.5.
At my anticoagulation clinic (I started going there after my stroke, but still self-test and self manage), if they don't ask me to get a blood draw, they test with a Hemochron Signature meter. This is a small meter, designed for use in Operating Rooms, at hospitals, etc., and is supposed to give results that are very close to lab results. I'm thinking that it may not be a bad idea to put my life into the results from this lab quality meter, rather than into something less accurate.
I just got one, used, presumably from a clinic or hospital. It appears to need more QC testing than the CoaguChek XS or the InRatio meters -- but may, possibly, give better results.
I'm looking for the QC testers for this meter. I'm not sure if it'll even let me run a test without doing quality control.
I think that I'll be able to buy the PT test strips, but may not be able to use the meter without doing some quality control first.
Have any of you used a Hemochron? Have any of you encountered labs that do?
Am I an idiot for even THINKING that I'll be able to use a hospital grade meter?
