Home INR testing results with coagucheck xs vrs lab draw INR test results.

[SoulRebel-APS]

I have all 3 APS clotting issues plus 4 more. I have finally gotten more strips for my coagucheck, it took 70 days to get a measly 12 strips from my ins. Anyway, home test vrs lab. I know I have to find a medium area in the different results so that I know if I should add or deduct from my home machine. Test 1: home test results 6.0 lab blood draw results(same day just hour later) 5.3 . 2nd test: home result 3.9, lab draw result 3.8. I know that is not enough tests to know but it looks like I may not find a somewhat average amount to add or deduct. How many times should I do both? Also, is the results I have gotten so far normal differences? So I can assume I can subtract 1 or 7 or 4 as the middle number( 1 + 7 = 8 divided by 2=4) it that how I should be looking at it or as full numbers within -- 7. I'm trying to ask how to decide to determine my INR when I look at the various different test results?

I Thank you all for your time and for sharing your collective wealth of information.

Stephanie

[AnneTS]

Hi Stephanie. I have been on Warfarin for 38 years and have used the Coaguchek for a number of years. I have my machine checked against my venous draw twice a year so that the anticoagulation clinic can be reassured that the results of my home tests are reasonably accurate. As I seem t have similar blood problems to you I don't worry about what my Coaguchek machine shows unless I have a really wild result!! What I do, however, is when I require surgery or similar interventions I liaise with the anticoagulation nurse at the hospital which is performing the surgery and ask her/his advice. In point of fact people with our problems are given very careful plans involving heparin before an intervention. Other than that I have found the Coaguchek to be pretty accurate. If I think my blood is up the creek I take a self-test for reassurance and contact my local hospital anticoagulation team for advice if there is a problem. In practice this has rarely happened. I am more concerned that you receive such a small number of test strips. My GP prescribes a years' supply which allows me to test once a week if necessary. If I go through a bad patch with my blood he will prescribe more. Anne

[Jumper99]

I've used coaguchek for about 13 years with no problems but very similar readings to,venous test. Your first test would have had me rechecking by doing a second coaguchek reading. I would also have spoken to my anticoagulation clinic as 6 is a high reading. But I guess you got a venous sample done anyway. the machine gets less reliable at higher numbers. You need a couple more checks to venous tests to see if it is reliable enough for you to use.

I get dosed on my coaguchek reading as do all my friends who use the machine. We do not alter the reading at all but use the actual reading. I email mine to the hospital anticoagulation clinic who email me back to,tell,me any change of dose and date of next test. It works well. They advise me what to do if I go out of range.

I think from your comment you are in the US as you get your strips from insurance so things may work differently as I'm in the uk. Once I got settled with my machine I average about one test a week. In reality this is a mixture of more tests when I am out of range and less tests when I am stable.

Hope this helps!

[SoulRebel-APS in reply to Jumper99]

Unfortunately I can only check once a week so could not recheck my coagucheck results. My insurance allows me 12 strips for 3 MONTHS!

I hope u are doing well!

Thank u for your input and knowledge it is very appreciated.

Stephanie