Have just been reading some posts and read that if on apixaban that you should have regular tests.
So, what is this test?
I don't think I've ever had one. I was diagnosed in August 2017. Since then hardly seen anyone about this and certainly don't recall anything like this. I'm feeling let down by the medical side of things.
Advice appreciated. I live in County Durham UK
Prior to taking Apixaban, you should have blood tests to ensure that your kidneys and liver function correctly and this should be repeated after 3 months. Originally, I was told that you should have annual blood tests thereafter but this may have changed to 6 months. As I understand it, Apixaban does not have any adverse effects on kidneys or liver, it is just to ensure these organs have not deteriorated with age etc because they are the means by which the drug leaves the body.
The link below covers NICE recommendations for all DOAC’s, just click on management for Apixaban.
cks.nice.org.uk/anticoagula...
Thanks. I saw the consultant 6months after my stay in hospital, but don't recall a blood test. I do get bad brain fog from my Ehlers-danlos so may of had tests. I do recall discussing coming off bisoprolol and panicking so was left on them. I then missed my annual visit which is now scheduled for June and had my healthy heart assessment with gp practice some time last summer. Apart fro. A discussion /debate /opinion about weight and pre diabetes I don't remember anything about kidneys being mentioned. It may of been discussed along with other things.
I'll just wait till June and see what goes on then.
The healthy heart annual assessment will include Full Blood Test which look for markers to see that kidney and liver function are good. Our surgery do 6 monthly tests for bloods on Apixaban but others may be shorter or longer. We get 2 appointments - one when Bloods, weight, BP are taken and sometimes urine and then a follow-up appointment with a nurse practitioner - not a doctor - to discuss any thing that arises.
My surgery has 2 appointments much the same as CD's, but Just annually. This year I saw my GP for a medication review after the blood test results were in.
One has to be vigilant about routine tests. My husband should have a prostate test every six months and I have found this can slide unless I step in.
Thank you. I genuinely cannot remember much about the appt except it was just a nurse, where their a nurse/practitioner of not, I've no ide. Am waiting for telephone appt off my gp today to ask this on top of feeling my depression is raising its ugly head again x
I think this is what I had, just don't remember a blood test. I'm hoping for clarity when my gp calls at some point today
T’is up to you DD but it is important to know that your liver and kidneys are functioning correctly. A simple phone call to GP receptionist should be able to verify whether or not you have had the appropriate blood tests. It’s possible your GP is not aware of the significance of needing these blood tests as DOAC’s are still fairly new so it might be worth taking a copy of the NICE recommendations with you to show the surgery nurse. If you have problems remembering what you may have been told on appointments if possible, take someone with you who you can talk to after the event......
It would be lovely to have someone with me. I guess the only person willing would be my daughter who sadly has the same problems as myself re remembering and brain fog
🙁
I was in the same situation, Daisy and found out about renal testing from this forum! I enquired with my GP surgery - this is five years ago - and it seemed to be very new to them too.
I had annual tests for 3 years but this was changed and I now have a blood test every six months to check that my kidneys are working OK and that the drug is being excreted properly. Incidentally, it’s up to me to remember - there is no automatic recall. I’m in N Ireland.
Perhaps thus is the case with me. I might ask though as I'm calling gp on a different matter today
I was told to have this yearly to check all is functioning well (cannot remember who told me) and have done so for 5 years. As with Finvola the surgery never sent a reminder, I ring and ask for a blood test.
Cassie
Ah. OK. Thanks, I've just ssut above about ringing my gp today on a different issue so will ask that at the same time. Thanks for replying
I had the kidney function and LFTs when I started Apixaban a year ago. Requested my annual ECG ( on flecainide) and blood tests last week. Am at a loss as to why they can't be flagged up automatically. OH gets annual rather superficial heart check ( no ECG) and bloods automatically as he had an MI over 10 years ago.
I agree. In top of my own health issues I care for mum 87 and two of my kids with needs. I don't have time for me, as much as I know I should, there are not enough hours in the day or days in the week for myself
If the teapot is empty there's no tea for anyone Diamonddaisy
I know, only too well. Its been a tough time and struggles most days.
Ours are flagged automatically - in fact they are dogged about it! We get letters to ring & book, if we don’t then telephone reminders, followed by text & then if we don’t respond threatened with being struck off their list! I think it very much depends upon the Practice Manager & the Practice’s investments in AI systems.
I have to say listening on this forum to other people’s experiences I’d be reluctant to move anywhere else because of the GP care we receive here - but they seem to be exceptional - they have been put forward for CCC Practice of the Year.
That sounds wonderful. My gp practice has a good rating in the area, there is one right over the road from me which isn't so good so staying with mine after I moved house 4yrs ago. Tricky to get to if I didn't have my car as I'd need 2busses. A little bit of "the devil you know. They know my family and situations pretty well too so not moving GP's any time soon
I'm really fortunate in that we have an excellent GP and Practice Nurse service locally. Both my wife and I get reminders by letter when we are due clinical reviews, blood tests etc and then text message reminders a few days prior to the appointment. Judging by the comments on here there are a lot of local variations in the quality of NHS Services
That sounds really good. It's a shame standards vary so much
Arggghh. Quick nip to loo and have missed call from gp. Hoping they will ring back 😭 took my pulse which is 81bpm normally 54 and BP is 141/60. Feeling a little off and have a headache, I know it will be the over thinking of everything
Just had my blood test yesterday, (annual). I received NHS text appointment on my phone. The surgery were a bit confused about who ordered it but concluded it was my pharmacist who booked it? Maybe it comes under "medication review"? I did not know a chemist had responsibility to check AF people like me on Apixaban for suitability?
Maybe someone else can add to this information
Best wishes
Seb
I made my own appt so obviously your pharmacy is very good. I've just switched to electronic prescriptions to a nearer (just over the road) chemist. Perhaps I'll ask them... If I remember... And find out if its something they do x
*update*
Saw gp today who says bloods were done at my healthy heart annual check and everything was fine.
So now I know..........
Has prescribed newer, better, version of citalopram(escitalopram) to start tonight and was incredibly sympathetic with all the stress I've been under this last year. Was lucky that the gp is the one who has supported me the most over the last several years. I'll be due back in 3weeks to see how I'm doing and to look at altering my pain meds for eds and arthritis and fingers crossed I will get some relief and hopefully more and better sleep.
Thanks to all who have advised me, you are all fab!!!!!
can heart function improve ? 
AF and heart function....?
warfarin and one test
AF and thyroid function
