Monthly warfarin blood tests still necessary?

[Caitlyn6]

My dad is 79, on warfarin following a metal aortic valve since 2000. He usually has blood tests every 3 weeks to check he is in range 2.5-3.5. It was due a week ago and we changed it to next week but still wary of going to Barnet hospital for blood test and dosing advice. Nurse said they are still happening as normal. Does anyone else have INR blood tests for warfarin and been given any advice? He sees a cardiologist registrar once a year. He is usually in range. He also had stomach cancer so he doesn’t want it going too thin as it might contribute to a bleed. Thanks for any advice.

[Walter61]

Hi . My recent experience with something similar (new medication) I was told that my bloods would need to be carried out, these were done last friday at the hospital however a little strange to see the heart clinic with know one around!

Hope this helps & hope everything gets sorted for your father

[werd]

Get your gp to do it . Or district nurse and they will have it tested by the hospital. But it must be done asap

[Caitlyn6 in reply to werd]

Rang district nurse and they said they don’t do it. They are never helpful I find. They said ask GP to send a phlebotomist. No answer at GP so not holding out much hope there

[Clickyvalve]

For getting the test done right now, the suggestion to see if your Dad’s GP will do it seems a good one to try. For future monitoring, would your Dad consider self-monitoring at home? See shop.coaguchek.com/ for information about the kit. It may involve an initial outlay of £300 if your local NHS won’t provide it, but the test strips should be available on prescription.

But oh dear: I just checked out the link and see they’ve stopped taking orders for the testing machine via the web due to unprecedented demand. Only to be expected, I guess. Still, if your Dad likes the idea (and it’s not for everyone) it may be worth giving the supplier a call.

What he decides to do, I wish him well. These are scary times.

[64AF in reply to Clickyvalve]

I am on the new blood thinner this does not require any blood test it is instead of warfarin may be you could ask GP or hospital it’s called riveroxban I know you can change.

[Caitlyn6 in reply to 64AF]

He is not viable for that one as his valve is the old type - put in in the year 2000

[werd in reply to 64AF]

If you are on riveroxban you do not have a metal valve replacement warfarin is the only option for metal valves0

[Inamoment]

My inr is fairly steady so I'm increasing the interval. I wouldn't go to a hospital and don't want to go to a gp either, involves taxis