INR range

[ROVETA]

Who and how is my INR range set?

[AnticoagulateNow]

Roveta, are you taking warfarin now or is it something you are considering?

If you are on it already, then you should have been properly briefed on INR, what it means, what level you should be aiming for and so on. Ideally your INR should be somewhere between 2.0 and 3.0, though nowadays many feel that 2.5 to 3.5 is an even safer target.

Each time you have a blood test you will be notified by the staff at the warfarin clinic of your INR reading and, if necessary, given an adjustment to your daily warfarin dosage.

Does that make sense?

[ROVETA in reply to AnticoagulateNow]

We do not have coagulation centers in America. That's the problem. I have been on warfarin for several years since my first stroke 9 years go. My primary care doctor insists he is the only person who can adjust my dosage. I have a venus draw every Monday morning. I hear nothing from doctor until I call on Thursday with a threatening tone. I have had strokes when my INR is below 3.0. I can't convince my doctor that I feel best at 3.0-3.5.

I believe it is all a product of American doctors trying to at least cover overhead with ever lowering Medicare payments. If anyone is interested, I will describe the how doctors have changed their practice in order to survive.

[AnticoagulateNow in reply to ROVETA]

I'm sorry to hear of your difficulties but I am in the UK. We sometimes take our National Health Service for granted but gosh it is a wonderful institution. I couldn't imagine being without it.