what is INR bloodwork?

Question

My Mom was told her INR is way to high what does this mean?

Answer 1

This will help you out:

INR: International normalized ratio, a system established by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Committee on Thrombosis and Hemostasis for reporting the results of blood coagulation (clotting) tests. All results are standardized using the international sensitivity index for the particular thromboplastin reagent and instrument combination utilized to perform the test.

For example, a person taking the anticoagulant ("blood thinner") warfarin (brand name: Coumadin) might optimally maintain a prothrombin time (a "pro time" or PT) of 2 to 3 INR. No matter what laboratory checks the prothrombin time, the result should be the same even if different thromboplastins and instruments are used. This international standardization permits the patient on warfarin to travel and still obtain comparable test results.
Your mother blood is thin as compared to standard, talk to her doctor, might be he will recommend a dose reduction/ or any other advise.

Answer 2

INR stands for International Normalized Ratio. The INR is based upon a mathematical formula utilizing the sensitivity of the laboratory reagent used - which varies between labs - when measuring prothrombin time also known as a PT. Doctors make decisions based upon the INR not the PT as someone suggested. If your mother's INR is 'way too high' this means she is at risk of bleeding. INR is done when people are taking warfarin/Coumadin which is taken to prevent blood clots. In general the therapeutic range is an INR of 2 to 3 although a range of 2.5 to 3.5 may be appropriate for those with mechanical heart valves. With an INR in these ranges there is about a 3% risk of spontaneous bleeding. Since warfarin is prescribed to prevent blood clots the benefit is thought to outweigh the risk. An INR of 5 or above is associated with about a 20% risk of spontaneous bleeding. There is no circumstance in which benefit exceeds this risk. When an INR is elevated the physician typically withholds the warfarin for a few days unless it is very high in which case a medication is administered to counteract the warfarin. I have written an article giving the history of warfarin, prothrombin time, and INR. If you are interested in a copy send me your email address.

Answer 3

INR, or International Normalized Ratio, is used in conjunction with a PT (Prothrombin Time) test to determine the clotting tendency of blood.
The INR being elevated may mean her blood is too thin...if she takes Coumadin or Aspirin, her dosage will need to be reduced. It's hard to know for sure though without knowing what her PT was a doctors tend to go more off what the PT value is rather than the INR alone.

Answer 4

First of all, if you're worried about your mom, don't be. It sounds like she is under the care of a doctor. I am NOT a doctor, but I do get my INR checked twice a month.

I'm figuring she's on some medications, right? She's probably taking a drug to thin her blood (there's a number of medical reasons to do this). If her INR is high, that means your mom's blood may be too thin. She's not in any danger, as long as she's listening to her doctor. Its easy to fix... eating lots of leafy green vegtables will bring her INR down :) (no kidding).

But do this -- talk to your mom about it! Make sure she's working with a doctor. I'm only a guy who happens to be on blood thinners, too.

Best to you and your mom!

Answer 5

bloodwork for ca and ggt