Comparison blood tests

[Greenmil3]

Hi all

Easy question I suppose but having my first of six checks of my INR coagucheck v veins.

My daft question is do I check my INR before, after, or at least same day?

Never done this before always self tested.

Thanks

[Lure2]

Hi,

You should do the vein-test at the lab within 2 or 4 hours (not more!) from the CoaguChek test in the finger. The sooner the better.

The CoaguChek test is only in the finger. Veintest is in the arm at a lab and only the veintest will always give the correct INR-value.

[Greenmil3 in reply to Lure2]

Lure I am aware of that but it’s not taken at the lab it is a remote blood test centre so I was going to ask them when does the blood go to the lab and try to coordinate but wasn’t sure to do it before or after as it probably won’t get to the lab till about 4pm and who knows when it will get tested?

[Lure2 in reply to Greenmil3]

Better ask them. I have no idea.

[MaryF Administrator in reply to Greenmil3]

I know with the testing, if you can do it and check when the collection is, if not being actually tested on site at the lab, it can make a difference, ie just before collection, rather than sitting for hours etc. Perhaps they can inform you further. MaryF

[GillyA]

When I was doing it a couple of months ago I took my kit into the clinic and self tested within a few minutes of the draw, so essentially the blood was coming out at almost the same time for both.

Not an expert, but would have thought the draw/prick time being close was the most important.

[KellyInTexas Administrator in reply to GillyA]

I agree. This is what I think also.

[Tofino5]

My hematologist wanted me to do the finger prick immediately after the blood was drawn. So I would bring the machine and supplies to the lab, the technician would draw the blood, then I'd do the finger stick. I did this for 4 weeks, until the results were undeniable and the machine went back :-/.

Good luck, I hope the machine works great for you!

[Greenmil3 in reply to Tofino5]

Not able as it’s a remote test centre but did the test at approx same time as lab but it was bad news prick test 3.5 blood test 2.58 so having to increase my warfarin and see what happens in two weeks but dreading having to dump my machine

[KellyInTexas Administrator in reply to Tofino5]

Exactly what my hematologist told me as well.

I took it into the lab with me.