What is a Home PT/INR Test?
Home PT/INR testing, also known as home INR testing, allows individuals who are taking anticoagulant medications, such as warfarin, to monitor their blood clotting ability from the comfort of their own home. This testing method involves using a small, handheld device to measure the prothrombin (PT) and international normalized ration (INR) levels, which helps individuals, and their healthcare providers adjust their medication dosages as needed based off their immediate test results.
What does PT/INR stand for?
Prothrombin Time / International Normalized Ratio
The INR is calculated using the following formula and is a ratio of Prothrombin Times that providers or pharmacists use to adjust a patients warfarin dosage.
Prothrombin Time or Protime: Measures the amount of time, in seconds, that it takes for your blood to clot.
- PT Patient: Patient’s measured PT (seconds)
- PT Normal: Laboratory’s geometric mean value PT for normal patients not on warfarin (seconds)
- ISI: International Sensitivity Index (1.0)
- PT: Prothrombin Time (number of seconds it takes blood to clot)
What is the normal INR range?
Individuals using the anticoagulant Warfarin need to keep their INR (International Normalized Ratio) within the safe therapeutic range set by their healthcare provider. Typically, this range is between 2.0 and 3.0. However, patients with a mechanical heart valve may be prescribed a higher therapeutic range. For people not on anticoagulants, the normal INR range is 0.8 to 1.2.Home INR Testing & Monitoring Treats Various Conditions, Including:
Chronic Atrial Fibrillation
Persistent A-fib is an irregular and quick heartbeat experienced for 12 months or more.
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DTV)
A blood clot in the veins.
Heart Valve Replacement
The replacement of one or more heart valves with an artificial valve.
Mechanical Heart Valve
Artificial valve implanted in the heart to regulate the blood flow.
Pulmonary Embolism (PE)
A blood clot in the lungs.
Venous Thromboembolism
A blood clot often found in the veins of the leg, groin, or arm.
Benefits of Home Testing
Affordable
For eligible patients, Medicare and most insurance providers typically cover home INR testing.
Convenient
You can conveniently conduct INR testing from the comfort and safety of your own home, or from any location with telephone/cellular service.
Effective
INR self-testing may improve patient’s outcomes, including fewer blood clots.
Quick
INR self-testing is easy to perform and test results can be received in under a minute.
PT/INR Devices We Provide Include:
Coag-Sense® PT2 Monitor
Offering precise readings in less than a minute through direct clot detection. This portable and easy-to-use device is perfect for home monitoring.
Roche CoaguChek® XS Meter
This two-button interface measures clotting time with a single drop of blood on the test strip, delivering INR results in about one minute.
Contact a Medial West Center
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