2006-12-08 11:11:32 · 6 answers · asked by Dany H 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Medicine
protime / INR
2006-12-08 11:12:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Warfarin blocks vitamin k activity with is needed for your body's clotting factors. Your clotting factors kick in to keep you from bleeding to death with all the physical and chemical insults you body takes. Because it blocks the production of clotting factors it take awhile for Warfarin to work. Your body will use up the unaffected clotting factors over time. You body will set up a new, lower level of clotting factors because of the Warfarin in you system. This new level will make it harder for you form a clot. This decreases the chance of you forming dangerous clots in your coronary arteries(heart attack), your lungs(pulmonary emboli), your veins(deep vein thrombosis) and elsewhere. The reason your doctor has to do blood work is to make sure your blood isn't TOO thin. This could lead to uncontrolled bleeding.
Now to your original question: PT( prothrombin time) or INR(international normalized Ratio) are what they measure when you are on Warfarin. Most people use INR these days. PT readings can vary depending on what reagents the lab uses.
INR corrects for that so that a reading in Florida is the same as a reading in California.
INR for someone on warfarin after a DVT, atrial fib, MI or Pulmonary embolism is 2.0- 3.0
INR for someone on warfarin because they have an artifical valve is 2.5-3.5.
While on Warfarin make sure you: Take it daily at the same time each day. Report any, ANY unusal bleeding episodes( nosebleeds that will not stop, rectal blood, coughing up blood, coffee ground vomitus, dark tarry stools, weakness, or bruising.
You may notice that you bleed a little longer than before when you cut yourself. But, you should still clot. If any side effects occur call your MD immediately. Don't wait until your next appointment even if it's in a few days. Otherwise, go to ER. This stuff is very powerful and is safe if you and your doctor stay on top of things.
2006-12-08 15:34:28 · answer #2 · answered by ontopofoldsmokie 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If I understand you correctly you are asking when a person is on Warfarin medication why do they have blood tests? I was on Warfarin after heart trouble. It is used to thin the blood. The anti-coagulation clinic monitored my I and R levels which is the speed with which the blood clots. It takes a lot longer for blood containing warfarin to clot. A heart attack is caused by having a clot block a narrowed heart or coronary artery.
2006-12-08 11:19:10 · answer #3 · answered by Birdman 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
PT Prothrombine Time, APTT Anti Plasia Protrombine Time, INR, International Numerical Ratio. Most Doctors use these Lab tests to see how wet or Anti-Coagulated the Blood is when on Warfarin/Coumadin.
2006-12-08 12:44:38 · answer #4 · answered by west.herb@yahoo.com 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Warfarin (also rat bait) decreases the blood's ability to form clots. I think it does this by preventing platelets from forming. An assay for this would probably include either clotting ability or a plat let count.
2006-12-08 11:17:46 · answer #5 · answered by Bernard B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A blood test every month to ensure the correct dosage is being administered daily.
2006-12-08 11:20:55 · answer #6 · answered by . 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bleeding time or platelet count?
2006-12-08 11:19:57 · answer #7 · answered by jsn77raider 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋