Warfarin blood tests: If your warfarin... - Atrial Fibrillati...

Atrial Fibrillation Support

32,305 members38,577 posts

Warfarin blood tests

Enjoy profile image
7 Replies

If your warfarin blood test is taken in the arm every time (instead of the finger prick) - can the vein they take it from become damaged? Might sound a silly question but my INR has recently been a bit "all over the place".

Written by
Enjoy profile image
Enjoy
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
7 Replies
BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer

Long term I guess yes , as for drug addicts and those who have to inject daily but I doubt there will be a problem short term. Just make sure that they change arms regularly. lol

Beancounter profile image
BeancounterVolunteer

Hi Enjoy

Given that they probably don't take more than once a fortnight, and that they are very unlikely to use exactly the same spot in the vein each time, unlikely to damage. As Bob say, you'd need to be a drug addict with twice a day to collapse them I would think.

But in any case would not change your INR.

Be well

Ian

Enjoy profile image
Enjoy in reply toBeancounter

Thank you both so much for your replies. I have luckily been able to change Warfarin Clinics - so now only have a 2 mile round trip instead of 13 miles to the hospital, but the new Clinic only do arm testing not the finger pricking. Thanks again for your replies - your support is much appreciated.

Offcut profile image
Offcut

I have been having it out of my veins since 1992 and the only thing is it is a lot tougher there now so they have a little bit more resistance. but nothing a good run up cannot sort ;)

When I was in for my second Ablation I happened to pick up a blood infection? and had to have a blood test every 2 hours. My main problem was I had a bottle of heparin on my right arm so it all had to come out of my Left only after my 8th test my veins decided they had had enough and started to collapse as soon as the needle hit them. A very strange thing to witness and not pleasant when the nurse proceed to move it forward and go right though! They then moved to my left leg. But all sorted and back to as normal I can be :)

Be well

Have had roughly 30 blood tests a year for last 11 years since on Warfarin. Nearly all taken very easily from same area on right arm. Now self testing so giving it a rest!

Enjoy profile image
Enjoy in reply to

Thanks everyone for responses. I now feel much happier to have the blood taken from my arm. I am currently sporting a super bruise from the one taken on Tuesday.

Beancounter profile image
BeancounterVolunteer in reply toEnjoy

Yes if the "vampires" are not too good and miss or go through the vein, then I too sport spectacular bruises, my record so far was from elbow to wrist over 50% of the circumference of the forearm. She tried 4 times by the way.

They go down in a couple of days however :)

Be well

Ian

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

warfarin blood tests at the beginning -- how frequent?

Those of you who are knowledgeable about warfarin/coumadin: when people first start taking this,...
psage profile image

Blood thinner tests

I am currently on aspirin and omega 3 because of some moderate cardiac disease. If I go back on a...
afibtennis profile image

BLOOD SHOT EYE [ON WARFARIN ]

Hi sorry to trouble you on a Sunday afternoon ,but is there any advise you can give I have quite a...
poppystorey profile image

Warfarin and burst blood vessels

Since being diagnosed with Afib I have been on Warfarin and my INR is fairly stable at between 2...
tunybgur profile image

Warfarin and blood pressure medications

I'm following a thread on the Atrial Fibrillation Support Forum where I commented that I was taking...
Patricia1 profile image

Moderation team

See all
Emily-Admin profile image
Emily-AdminAdministrator
Kelley-Admin profile image
Kelley-AdminAdministrator
jess-admin profile image
jess-adminAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.