Inr 7.8

[KMB]

I had my normal monthly blood test at the hospital this morning and got a call that my INR is 7.8. They called me and advised me to skip my dose (5mg) tonight and come back in the morning for a new test.
Could the test be wrong? Is there anything else internally be wrong?
Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

[geebee]

I would always retest if my INR were that high. There are such things as bogus tests. I am not even sure I would skip a dose until I had retested but that has to be your decision.

If the second test turns out to be the same, skipping at least one dose would be indicated along with a reduction in your weekly dose of 15-20% with a retest in one week.

 

[Ross]

If you've been stable up til now, then the test is wrong and you need a new test. As Geebee said, up to you on skipping todays dose, but if it were me, I'd go ahead and take it and see what the new test says.

 

[Nan]

Ditto to what Gina says.

But I am also curious, are you having any bruising? Bleeding when you brush your teeth? Etc.? I would think if your INR were actually that high that you might have some symptom, although I'm sure it is possible to have it at that level and not have any....

And have you changed your diet or activity level at all?

Gee, if it is that high, just think of the "greens" fest you could have, broccoli, spinach (well not raw spinach with the recent news, I guess) etc.

Hope all is OK. Please post and let us know what the test is tomorrow.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Tough Call.

This is where it would be nice to have a Home Tester to double check.

If it were me, I'd be tempted to take HALF your normal dose tonight, then check INR FIRST thing in the morning.

If the second test is in range, you could add the missed half over the next day or two so that your weekly dose comes out the same.

If the second test is HIGH, then follow the recommended protocol. (I would be very reluctant to hold TWO full doses because for many people, that causes INR to drop like a rock. Since I don't self dose, I'll refrain from recommending an exact protocol. See what your clinic recommends, or someone more experienced than me.)

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Guest]

7.8 usually won't cause any problems. There are many reports of INRs over 100 with nothing happening - maybe a few dribbles of blood from the nose.

It would be prudent to hold one dose, but I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

Any chance that you took and extra dose about Monday?

 

[Sherry]

Hi, Kris. I had an 8.0 reading this past Tuesday and held two doses, which I've only done on a few occasions. (It makes me uneasy to hold two.) Anyway, it was 3.7 on Thursday. Normally, when I'm in the high range, I'll halve the doses rather than drop two, but since it was so high, I deferred to my nurse's opinion.

I'll have it rechecked again this Monday and hope that it's back to normal. I had several bruises on my legs but no other signs of bleeding when I had that high reading.

 

[perkicar]

I've been as high as 6.1, and the only "symptom" I had was much longer than normal bleeding from a bug bite on my leg. And occasional spotting... I can usually tell when I'm high, although the 4.9 I had last week was a bit of a surprise. Since I'd been running high for the last few tests, I went ahead and changed my dosing per the docs reco, and will get tested again today (9 days later). Hopefully I haven't dropped too much, just into range.

 

[Karlynn]

I've found that signs of high INR's are more coincidence. I've had INR's of 6 with no unusual bleeding or anything. I've had INR's of 1.8 and was sure the reading would be high because a scratch I got the day before seemed to bleed for a longer than usual time. So go figure.

Also, holding your dose last night will not register in your INR this a.m. It will show up on Saturday most likely. So if your INR is a lot lower today, it's because the 7.8 was an error.

 

[KMB]

Waiting for results

Waiting for results

I went in this morning for my test - lots of bleeding after the draw so I think it may still be pretty high. I did skip my dose last night and ate a giant ceasar salad. I will let you know the final results!!
They did tell me that they retested the blood 4 times because they didn't believe that it was that high.
The nurse yesterday said I may need to go to the doctor and they would give me something to change the INR - I have never heard of that before.
Kris

 

[geebee]

The nurse yesterday said I may need to go to the doctor and they would give me something to change the INR - I have never heard of that before.
Kris

I am sure she was taling about Vit.K but I would be really upset with a doctor that gave me Vit.K for a one-time high INR (unless it was maybe above 10 or so and I was bleeding).

Just another example of people who do not really know about coumadin management.

Hope your test turns out a bit better.

 

[Persianlady05]

INR level was 100 one time

INR level was 100 one time

Last yr.my INR was 100 I was in big trouble,I had internal bleeding and didnt know if it was that I had soreness on my feet when I flexed my toes,/my ankle was swollen as I arrived at ER it became brused my leg had large bruses my stomach my goodness I was a big mess !I recivied V-k injection and stay in hospital for two days ,you do have to watch carefully I am having same problems now with this take care chris

 

[KMB]

Results

Results

I just heard back from the clinic. The new INR level was 5.6 and that I was to skip 2 more doses of coumadin...then get retested on Monday. I am not about to skip 2 doses. Simple math would put me at 1.6 if it dropped by 2 last night AND I ate a big salad.
Such is life! I am sure I will be back on track after the weekend.
Thanks for all your responses! Makes me feel better having some people to contact about these types of issues.

 

[geebee]

I just heard back from the clinic. The new INR level was 5.6 and that I was to skip 2 more doses of coumadin...then get retested on Monday. I am not about to skip 2 doses. Simple math would put me at 1.6 if it dropped by 2 last night AND I ate a big salad.
Such is life! I am sure I will be back on track after the weekend.
Thanks for all your responses! Makes me feel better having some people to contact about these types of issues.

Thank you for not skipping those doses. The next lab test you might have seen could have been from a hospital bed.
The MOST I would do is lower my dose by 10% but I am wondering if you might have double-dosed by mistake.
A retest on Monday is a good timeframe.

 

[Karlynn]

I just heard back from the clinic. The new INR level was 5.6 and that I was to skip 2 more doses of coumadin...then get retested on Monday. I am not about to skip 2 doses. Simple math would put me at 1.6 if it dropped by 2 last night AND I ate a big salad.
Such is life! I am sure I will be back on track after the weekend.
Thanks for all your responses! Makes me feel better having some people to contact about these types of issues.

And your level is still going to be dropping from the 2 skipped doses.

 

[Ross]

KMB you are exactly right! Drop two and your gonna be very low, next to nothing! I think you need to find another clinic or another manager or manage your own dosing!

 

[Persianlady05]

A Great Bunch Of People We Have

A Great Bunch Of People We Have

As I read the replys about coumadin,I appricate all of your caring ,concerns and give such great advice for us here I come here anytime and read questions and comments if the INR is high or low I have learned so much from all of you and AL and the other mans name i forgot you help me so much again I thank you chris

 

[LUVMyBirman]

Pulled in the 6 range yesterday. Was told to hold two doses. Test Wednesday. I know darn well that it will not register Wednesday. Trial and error( as well as being on Coumadin for 7.5 years that I will hit rock bottom by weeks end).

There are 2 to 3 nurses at my Coumadin. One is very resonable and understands how to adjust me. The other one is obviously #1 full of herself. I am surprised that she has not been fired. #2 uneducated. Long sorted story. Have proved her wrong on many occasion. I can tell she resents me for that. Oh well....my life. Listening to her would either have me stroking out or ten feet under. Thank goodness for home testing and a greater understanding of how Coumadin works!

 

[Granbonny]

Gina

Gina

so, what did you do? I hope just held one dose.Should put you back down in range..Tomorrow. ...thankfully, mine stays in range. Just what I read..is why I said that. Bonnie