Low INR, Stuck at 1.4

[mrsnuffles]

Hi All,

Just after a bit of advice.

I am now 11 weeks post op and am hopefully coming of the Warfarin in a few weeks (mitral repair). My INR was stable at 2.6 (taking 5mg 5 days and 6mg 2 days) and was at the stage that they put me to 4 weekly tests. I had a test last Wednesday and my INR had dropped to 1.4. They increased my dose to 6mg per day and told me to re-test today. Today it came back at 1.4 again. They have now told me to take 6mg for 2 days and 7mg for 5 days.

Now to me, that doesn't seem like much of an increase for such a low INR so I am wondering if the GP is dosing me correctly. Over the last 4 weeks my exercise levels have increased from 1 mile walks a day to much longer walks 3+ miles most days and 2 cardio rehab sessions (1 hr in the gym) so I am guessing thats the reason for the level change as nothing else has really changed.

Can anyone offer me any advice on this matter? As I said, I'm due to have an ECG next week and if I am in sinus rhythm, I can come off the warfarin so I'm not too worried but I'd like to know just incase I don't come off it.

Thanks in advance,

Andrew

 

[Ross]

Actually, they should have increased it to 7mg everyday. Being that your temporary, I wouldn't sweat it too much. Your activity level is what has caused this drop.

Anything under 1.5 would be my base to increase the dose by 20% for the week. So you had been taking 42mg add 20% for 8.4 increase added to 42= 50.4/7= 7.2 or round down to 7mg daily.

 

[mrsnuffles]

Thanks Ross.

I did think that would be the reason but its good to get a second opinion on it. Glad to know the GP wasn't far out on the dosing either.

Andrew

 

[Ross]

http://www.pace-med-apps.com/CoumCalc.htm

 

[mrsnuffles]

Thanks again. I was looking for an online calculator but you got there first I've saved it to my favourites in case I need it again.

 

[Freddie]

Hey Ross, how come when I click on your link, the page that comes up is not the same as shown on this thread?
And I can't get it to work using 2.5 - 3.5 as a target range, taking 5mg a day and guessing my INR would be 1.5 - 1.9.

Am I missing something? It has been a long day

 

[Freddie]

Thanks Ross, but it still doesn't work using your numbers as above. A pop up sign comes up saying "Please enter valid Dose".

When you say browser you mean Firefox right?

 

[olefin]

It doesn't work for me either. Says enter correct dose...
But on wife's computer it worked?
I'm using Vista and she has XP.

 

[Ross]

It doesn't work for me either. Says enter correct dose...
But on wife's computer it worked?
I'm using Vista and she has XP.

Don't fill in both inital dosing and continuing dosing and when putting in the dose, don't put 35mg or whatever, but just the number 35. make sure you've chosen daily or weekly dose.

 

[olefin]

Don't fill in both inital dosing and continuing dosing and when putting in the dose, don't put 35mg or whatever, but just the number 35. make sure you've chosen daily or weekly dose.

Using mg was causing my problem... tanks.