I got my new inratio this week

[lyneebee]

I wanted to check my INR and make comparables if what people say is true that lab test and home test is not always the same figure which it did. I went for a lab test first and reads 3.09, My home test reads 3.6. I was panick because it is out of my range (2-3 range, taking 4 mg.for a long time) My doctor did not adjust my dosage Is it because she based on the lab test that is closer to my range? or thinks I'm still Ok with half pt. difference? Now what is accurate? lab or home test? What's the use of home test if my Doctor goes by lab test result. I'm confused. pls. advise. thanks for your concern.

Lyneebee

UCLA/TVR,Maze 9/05
Scripps/MVR 11/95

 

[Karlynn]

Those who know will be along, but I think I've read that, for some reason, the INRation tends to test .6 higher.

Even with your range being 2 - 3, I wouldn't worry about a 3.6. My range is 2.5 - 3.5, and others have a 3 - 4. Nuttin's going to happen to you.

 

[Ross]

Once again the .6 shows. I don't know why and we have never gotten a logical answer. How is the lab coming up with a number like 3.09? Never heard of numbers like that being used before. Next time you test the lab and your meter, take the meter with you and test at the sametime they draw the blood. that is as accurate as it's going to get.

 

[geebee]

I compared my INRatio to lab tests and just drove myself crazy. I am always happy on the high end of my range anyway (range of 3.0-4.0) so I stay around 4.0. I figure even if the lab indicates I am at 3.2, I am in range on either end.

In other words, I no longer care about any difference. I love the monitor, love home testing and am doing just fine.

 

[Marty]

I wanted to check my INR and make comparables if what people say is true that lab test and home test is not always the same figure which it did. I went for a lab test first and reads 3.09, My home test reads 3.6. I was panick because it is out of my range (2-3 range, taking 4 mg.for a long time) My doctor did not adjust my dosage Is it because she based on the lab test that is closer to my range? or thinks I'm still Ok with half pt. difference? Now what is accurate? lab or home test? What's the use of home test if my Doctor goes by lab test result. I'm confused. pls. advise. thanks for your concern.

Lyneebee

UCLA/TVR,Maze 9/05
Scripps/MVR 11/95

I no longer care about central lab results. Check your INRatio by using a "control"- your spouse or someone not on warfarin in good health. If you get a result 0.8 t0 1.2 INR your monitor is OK and your INR reading is accurate.Discuss this with your doctor and see if she won't go along with the INRatio only- no central lab except maybe once a year to reassure her. You will gradually learn how your body metabolizes warfarin, the 10%
dose adjustment method, and more. Then you will confidently "self dose" and just let your doctor know whats going on at agreed intervals. My doctors are delighted that I don't need to bother them anymore.

 

[Mama2Rylan]

Lyneebee,

I'm sorry, I can't help you with your question, but I was wondering how long it took you to get your machine. I have been waiting months for mine, and I still have not heard anything yet I also have heard a .6 difference...but I guess I don't really understand that all to well.

 

[Natanni]

INRatio!!

INRatio!!

Hello!!

My hubby started using his INRatio about one month or so post AVR. During his weekly visits to his coumadin clinic, he would bring his machine and check it against their Pro Time monitor, and there was usually some variability. I don't remember exactly anymore, I am sure it is somewhere in our Oct Nov archives. When we had this variability, the coumadin clinic would send him to the lab and the lab was usually somewhere in between. Our coumadin clinic is very confident in Nathan's home testing, although we still are having him checked at the clinic once per month now just to keep an eye on things, and he tests weekly here at home. I think testing on an non-anticoagulated person is a great idea! Good luck!

 

[TomS]

Lab numbers

Lab numbers

Ross,
Just an FYI on your comment. Last week, I was away and unable to get my usual "finger prick", so I had blood drawn instead. I was told that my INR was 2.29. Looks like some facilities do give you that extra digit, versus rounding it to 2.3.
Tom

P.S. Just a general question from someone considering doing this at home - Do we have a forum consensus on which device is most accurate?
Thanks.

 

[Guest]

I drive the testing companies nuts because I contend that if you do not go below 1.8 for an aortic valve (2.3 for a mitral valve), and stay below 5.0 there is very little chance that something bad is going to happen. That is also why I don't worry when some doctors set ranges for their patients that have nothing to do with the guidelines. These ranges odd are largely meaningless - I think they usually result from the doctor not remembering what they are supposed to be.