Warfarin blood tests

[Enjoy]

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".

[BobD Volunteer]

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 Volunteer]

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 in reply to Beancounter]

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]

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

[Hidden]

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 in reply to Hidden]

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 Volunteer in reply to Enjoy]

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