Warfarin dose Sorry to bother you with this, but could I just ask...........

[Therealsue]

Just had my post ablation INR done and it was 3. When I had my ablation done last Thursday it was 2, having dropped from 2.6 two days before (although it was a venous rather than a thumb prick sample at the hospital). Anyway, the hospital put me on alternate doses of 5 and 4mg. The INR lady today wrote in my book 4mg on tues, Thursday and Friday and 5 mg all the other days (until next Tuesdays test), but on the printout she wrote alternate 5 and 4 doses as I've been taking since I left hospital.

Over the next week, the alternate day doses will give me 1mg less warfarin than the other way. My feeling is that it probably doesn't matter that much and that alternate doses would be better than the other way as it gives a more even dosage

Should I

A. Do the alternate days as I've done the past few days

B. Go with tues thurs fri on 4 and wed, sat, sun and mon on 5

C. Ring the GP surgery and try and speak to a nurse.

[BobD Volunteer]

They usually like the high dose to be the day before you go for your INR test so on my calculation that works that you need to take the five mg on a Monday and work back alternate days form that.., so 5mg on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and 4mg on the other days. I must also point out that venous readings and finger pricks seldom show the same readings. The whole testing process is rather vague which is why the best advice from those who know is to aim for an INR between 2.5 and 3.5 rather than 2 to 3. (Scource HRC October last year)

Bob

[Therealsue]

Bob-thank you. I think I'll go with what was written in the book and see where we are next Tuesday.

[Offcut]

I have a different readings at different hospitals. I will always be .2 lower at my not usual hospital? This has happened every time and over a 5 year period. But not enough to worry about.