inr number

[jpcubberly]

i have st jude mechanical valve

i have been taking coumadin for 12 years first 8 years had no problem number was kept around 2.6 2,8 had some montering problems and closing of one of the doctors office.

went to a new doctor they have raised my inr level to 3. 3,4 3. being considered to low .

i have some problems since going this high mainly my knee fills with blood when gets to high number

does anyone else have this problem and is there some rteference in what an inr number should be

any help would be appreciated there arnt a heck of alot of people including professionals who can help

 

[Jkm7]

Hi and Welcome.

I am no expert and I am sure the others will be along soon to help you.

But, I do wonder why, seeing as you have done well for 12 years in a 2.6 or so range, why would they have decided to change your safe range. I've read here that 2.5 - 3.5 seems to be the range many mitral valvers are in. (But, I think there are some in a 2.0 - 3.0 range as well.)

You were on the low range but doing fine so why mess with success? Perhaps someone more knowledgable can tell me what is wrong with my thinking.

 

[dick0236]

The "normal" INR range for a mechanical valve is 2.5-3.5. I try to keep mine at 3.0 or above.

I question that your INR is causing the knee problem.

 

[AgilityDog]

A higher INR does not necessarily cause a problem, but it may REVEAL a problem. Example, in 1996 my father was on coumadin for a-fib. He changed doctors and his new doctor wanted his INR a bit higher. The additional anticoagulation resulted in intestinal bleeding which, when investigated, revealed metastasized cancer (from prior treated kidney cancer) in his duodenum, requiring surgery. That early discovery could have saved his life.

Maybe there's damage in your knee with minor bleeding that is only discovered because of the coumadin therapy. See your ortho. and have the knee checked.

 

[Ross]

Most aortic valves are fine at 2.0 to 3.0. People with risk factors for clots, like myself, are told to keep it 2.5 to 3.5. I'm happy anywhere between 2.0 and 4.0. Coumadin isn't causing your bleeding in this range, but it's certainly unmasking a hidden problem.