Home INR testing

[Dingles]

I have a Roche XS machine do I have to get it recalibrated? My kit is over five years old.

[Hidden]

Hiya,

I have the same device and mine is 12 years old and in regular use. My INR clinic is with my GP Surgery. Once a year the INR Nurse phones me and arranges a date when I take my device into the clinic/surgery and we draw blood.

From the same pin prick we drop blood onto the surgery device and onto my device. This test has always shown the same result - within 0.1 variation. The INR Nurse then confirms she is happy with my device despite its age. All Warfarin doses are then prescribed based on this testing. Simples really. Don't panic. No cost to your purse either. I even get my test strips on prescription.

I use my device all the time and am now on 10 week tests. That said, I test my self more frequently than 10 weeks just to keep a peaceful mind that I'm in range. Usually I'm in the range 2.4 to 2.7. Could set my watch by it.

John

[Lisamcharman in reply to Hidden]

Hi I also have the same machine for 7+ years and I had the same conversation with my practice nurse and so we called the support number in rhe booklet that came with the machine and each time you insert the new microchip with new testing strips and everytime you turn it on it automatically recalibrates and I also do the same I do 3 tests a year at the doctors with same blood drop both machines and have very similar results hope this helps

[Kempsh0tt in reply to Lisamcharman]

For several years I too have done the annual calibration as brilliantly described above. Had never picked up on the auto recalibration by the Roche machine though when new test strip code inserted. Always learn on these forums. Thanks TC

[AlisonClark]

I self test too, and have the same process of those that have already commented. I go to the anti-coagulent clinic twice a year and we do a comparison on readings.

[Jumper99]

I have home tested for about 19 years no now using Roche machines. You should not only test their accuracy before starting to use them but at regular intervals after that too. My Anticoag clinic dose me by email. Every 6 months they tell me to get a venous test done within an hour of the finger prick tests to check they are the same or almost the same. I wouldn’t like to leave my check for longer than 6 months but others do go a year in some places, but my INR is not as stable as yours is, I do a home test weekly regardless of my dosing instruction because sometimes my INR goes out of range for no known reason. Others prefer to check every time they start a new box of test strips, so the first strip out of the box is used to calibrate the machine.

Some APS people cannot use finger prick tests as they are inaccurate so it is best to ensure your readings can be relied on.

[Dingles]

Thank you for your replies. Unfortunately my last test at the doctors did not match my machine. Ended up having a venous test. With them saying I needed to get my machine recalibrated. I had used a new chip and pack of test strips. Can’t find where to get it recalibrated.

[MazzyB]

should imagine so as I’m thinking of getting one & was told that I had to keep having it checked. I