INR testing in Australia

[bethw]

Hi Everyone,

I am going travelling and spending the majority of my time in Australia.

I was wondering if anyone could advise on where I could get an INR test carried out on the East Coast of Australia.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Beth x

[MaryF Administrator]

Hi I am sure some of our members from Australia will answer you, and in the mean time I have heard of some people registering with Dorvevitch Pathology in Australia when travelling around, attached to various caravan/camping clubs. so might be worth googling?! MaryF

[Ozchick]

The East coast of Oz is very long! The Lab mentioned by Mary seems to be mainly in Victoria. Barratt and Smith, Douglas Hanley Moir and also Laverty Pathology are mainly NSW and can't help for Queensland. A quick Google for 'Pathology QLD' brought up a few Labs in that state.

I have to have another blood test on Wednesday at B&S so I will ask what they need for an O/S visitor. (If my brain remembers!)

[peterm]

Hi Beth. I live in Melbourne Victoria. Before I invested in my own INR machine I was getting tested at my local GP;s. WE have Bulk Billing clinics where, if you get a medicare card, your tests are all free. Otherwise you will need to pay around $65 per visit. I am not 100 % sure if this applies to all other states . I hope this helps.

Peter

[Ozchick]

The Medicare card is a reciprocal health care card for visitors that are UK residents but it can only be used for emergency medical care. You do have to apply at any Medicare office when you land here, along with Passport/UK NHS card and date of return flights. I don't know if INR tests fall into the 'emergency' category as they are ongoing issues. You also need proof of an Australian bank account. I had a UK visitor last year and went through all the red tape with him. Check with your travel insurance if they will pay out for this.

[snorkle272]

When I was on the gold coast near Burleigh I had to go to the hospital. The hospital called an outside lab to have the lNR done. It cost me about $65. I think you would be wise to buy your own INR tester if you are travelling.

[Hidden in reply to snorkle272]

Hello I'm Mark and I'm an australian/italian citizen living in italy for more then 15 years. I'm now planing on moving back to Perth Australia. I had heart surgery and now taking coumadin and take PT & INR blood test every two weeks. Here in Italy sicne my terapy is for life it's free and I dont pay. What I want ot know is if moving to australia would it still be free o would i need to pay for these blood tests?

[Lure2 in reply to Hidden]

Hi makorocs,

I wonder if you have a diagnose of Antiphospholipidsyndrom? We have that illness all of us here.

I live in Sweden and it can be special rules in different countries as to bloodtests when having this autoimmun illness and this thick blood.

You have now put a question on a 2 year old question. I suggest you put your own new question on here if you have our illness. That way you will have more and perhaps better answers.

Good luck with your illness!

Kerstin in Stockholm

[Hidden in reply to Lure2]

Thank you Lure2.

[Kentish_Man]

Hi Beth,

When I was in Australia 4 years ago, I tried to get an INR check in Sydney. I went to a couple of clinics and hospitals. The usual response from a clinic was that they would draw a sample and get it tested the next day !! Hospitals varied in reply and cost.

You can buy your own machine, however these have a couple of drawbacks.

1). It is another piece of kit to have to carry around

2. The cost and accuracy can vary for both the machine and test strips.

I am leaving for a long holiday in Australia & New Zealand next month. So, if you would like, I can feed back to you what I find out this time.

I have not heard of Dorevitch Pathology that Mary suggests, but will try and check that out also.

[bethw in reply to Kentish_Man]

Hi Kentish_Man,

I am taking my self test machine with me and I agree with you, my worry is that sometimes it can be slightly out so I'd like the security of being able to gain an INR test if needed.

Any feedback about your trip to Australia & New Zealand would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks so much

Beth

[Ozchick]

I asked my Lab today what they would do for an O/S visitor. You would need a request form from a GP (cost can vary for a consult but around $60) and a GP can request up to 6 INR's on the form. The cost of INR is around $70 and they suggest seeing if this can be claimed from your travel insurance.

I guess it depends on how stable your INR's are and how often you get tested right now and how long you will be away. Enjoy your trip

[bethw in reply to Ozchick]

Hi Ozchick,

Thank you so so much for finding out for me, I really appreciate your help!!

I am taking my self test machine with me but would like the security of being able to get an INR just in case!

Thank you again!

Beth

[Aimz82]

You can go to any QML pathology clinic but you will need to see a gp first to get them to order the test or get the referral most doctor clinics have either a Qml or a nurse station that can perform the inr test for you straight after seeing the gp

[Hidden]

Hello I'm Mark and I'm an australian/italian citizen living in italy for more then 15 years. I'm now planing on moving back to Perth Australia. I had heart surgery and now taking coumadin and take PT & INR blood test every two weeks. Here in Italy since my terapy is for life it's free and I dont pay. What I want ot know is if moving to australia would it still be free o would i need to pay for these blood tests?

Thank you.

[Hidden]

Hello I'm Mark and I'm an australian/italian citizen living in italy for more then 15 years. I'm now planing on moving back to Perth Australia. I had heart surgery and now taking coumadin and take PT & INR blood test every two weeks. Here in Italy sicne my terapy is for life it's free and I dont pay. What I want ot know is if moving to australia would it still be free o would i need to pay for these blood tests?