Which results to believe??

[Eva]

Today, I took my Co-agucheck XS which I received on Saturday to my cardio's office to compare testing results on both machines. both were 2.7 (it was also 2.7 on Saturday)

Yesterday, my GP drew blood to check my electrolytes and TSH to find why I feel fatigued.The blood was not sent 'STAT' to the lab. Normally the courrier collects blood samples from several clinics before taking it to the lab. Coming home, I found a message from GP's office that my INR is 2.1 (I did not realize he requsted INR...he might have forgotten that I check my INR at the cardio's).

My questions are:

1-Could the delay in taking the blood sample to lab affect the INR's results?!
2-Could I have been 2.1 yesterday and 2.7 today?!

I take 7.5 mg Warfarin every night. I know I should believe the machine, but I like to hear confirmation from you.

Thanks in advance.

[Marsha, do not feel bad to know that my cardio's nurse used the cardio's strips for both machines...he did not take any of mine). ]

 

[Ross]

Trust your machines reading, not the labs.

They try to tell you that it doesn't 'matter how long it sits around, but I have not found that to be true.

 

[Bridgette]

I'd be more inclined to trust your machine especially since it agreed with the cardio's machine. They both read 2.7, and your lab test reads 2.1.....I think instant results from home testers stack up better than lab samples that could be sitting around for God knows how long before being tested.

 

[njean]

My dear friend, I tend to agree with the others & I would trust the INR reading of your own machine! Will you be checking your INR once a week for a while until you begin to see a pattern? Make sure to write down your daily dosages on a calendar & when you performed your INR & the reading. Easier to keep track this way!

Congratulations on your new found freedom!!!!

 

[Bina]

Eva, your machine is just fine.
And yes, your INR can fluctuate a bit from day to day, which is why we try to be consistent with foods and exercise.
It is a good idea to aim for the middle of your range...... I'm at 3.1
Relax and enjoy home testing.

 

[Blanche]

Trust your machine

Trust your machine

Eva:

Always trust YOUR machine. Our INR is not static. It fluctuates all the time, and maybe many times in one given day. I once had to test my INR three times in one day. I got different values each time.

You'll get the hang of it very soon. New things are sometimes very difficult...but you have a whole, big group of fellow Anticoagulant buddies here to help and reassure you.

Kind regards, Blanche

 

[Bina]

Eva is a double valver.....I believe her range is 2.5---3.5

 

[Tbone]

Always trust your machine.........But with this caveat; test with another machine to see that it is calibrated correctly. Also, when you drop it test with another machine.

 

[Blanche]

Thank you, bina. I will correct that for future users.

 

[zipper2]

Eva us double valvers Trust your machine.....I have no
magic number yet ,mine i check once week,but remember
i'm trying to dump the amiodarone and my inr's jump drastically.
Up and down,it scares me at 1.9 but i catch it on weekly checks.
hasn't dropped lower for me if it has i catch it weekly and trust
the guy upstairs,so far all safe with my home tester.The lab people
still drinking coffee at Tim Hortins with the vials here

zipper2 (DEB)

 

[Eva]

Trust your machines reading, not the labs. Will always do!
They try to tell you that it doesn't 'matter how long it sits around, but I have not found that to be true.

If it did not matter, why would they mention "interpret with caution"...I do not care for that warning...I need the actual results!! which is frustrating.!! Next time if I need to have lab work, I shall take the prescription and go to the main lab myself!!

I'd be more inclined to trust your machine especially since it agreed with the cardio's machine. They both read 2.7, and your lab test reads 2.1.....I think instant results from home testers stack up better than lab samples that could be sitting around for God knows how long before being tested

.Thanks, Bridgette, I totally agree...cannot tell how long lab samples stay around...It depends on the courrier's energy and conscience and what private stops he makes on the way to the lab!!

... Will you be checking your INR once a week for a while until you begin to see a pattern? Make sure to write down your daily dosages on a calendar & when you performed your INR & the reading. Easier to keep track this way! Congratulations on your new found freedom!!!!

Yes, indeed, Norma.
Will be testing one a week, despite my cardio's nurse recommended yesterday once every two weeks!! he can say whatever he likes, I shall do whatever feels right to me. After all, I am the one paying for the strips!

Eva, your machine is just fine.
And yes, your INR can fluctuate a bit from day to day, which is why we try to be consistent with foods and exercise.
It is a good idea to aim for the middle of your range...... I'm at 3.1
Relax and enjoy home testing.

I totally agree, Bina. I shall try to take an 8 mg once a week and continue taking 7.5 for six days and see if it goes up to 3. Thanks.

Always trust your machine.........But with this caveat; test with another machine to see that it is calibrated correctly. Also, when you drop it test with another machine.

Thanks, Tbone, a good advice!

Eva:
Always trust YOUR machine. .... I once had to test my INR three times in one day. I got different values each time.
Kind regards, Blanche

Thanks, dear Blanche, will always trust my machine and trust you

Eva is a double valver.....I believe her range is 2.5---3.5

Correcto, Bina

Eva us double valvers Trust your machine.....I have no magic number yet ,mine i check once week,but remember i'm trying to dump the amiodarone and my inr's jump drastically. Up and down,it scares me at 1.9 but i catch it on weekly checks. hasn't dropped lower for me if it has i catch it weekly and trust the guy upstairs,so far all safe with my home tester.The lab people still drinking coffee at Tim Hortins with the vials here
zipper2 (DEB)

My dear Deb, you have gone through a lot and I always keep praying hard for you. I agree with you especially that they are few who work these days with conscience! Good luck with you medication and health improvement.