2007-01-23 10:50:27 · 3 answers · asked by Randy D 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Medicine
The theuraputic effects of blood thinner are measured with blood tests called PTT and PT & INR. If the result of these tests are not as high as they should be (which test you are monitoring for therapeutic levels depends on the drug - coumadin, for instance, alters PT and INR), your dosage needs to be increased. That is true if you have been on the drug for a while. Some of these drugs take time to be fully effective (again, coumadin is an example).
2007-01-23 11:28:38 · answer #1 · answered by r alexander 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Blood thinners aren't about blood that appears, to the naked eye, to be too thick. Blood thinners are more accurately known as anti-coagulants, and their role isn't so much to thin the blood as it to reduce the propensity to clotting, by changing the platelets in the blood.
2007-01-23 18:57:57 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I imagine you are taking Coumadin, or, possibly, Plavix. In either case, especially that of Coumadin, your liver and its ability to produce coagulation factors has a huge impact on how much medicine you need. Even your diet (if its rich in vitamin K) makes a difference. In my hospital, we constantly have to adjust Coumadin dosage as fresh crops of vegetables come in because our patients are consuming these and boosting their blood clotting ability.
2007-01-23 19:32:57 · answer #3 · answered by Jack D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋