Re: Accuchecks of PT/INR

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/28/2003 1:51:14 PM Central Daylight Time,

pammie416@... writes:

> Does anyone have trouble managing to keep PT's therapeutic? Heard

> about the new home accuchech machine, where you can check your own

> PT/INR? I believe they will be marketed soon, but will be very

> pricey in the beginning as every other new innovation. Also that the

> lancetts are expensive. Does anyone know anything about that?

>

There are several home PT tests available now with prescription I believe and

all are expensive. I would be interested in learning more about the new test

you mention, although so far, all of the current methodology is pretty much

the same. The potential difficulty with home testing is that the results

sometimes do not correlate well with the " gold standard " test done in a

laboratory.

The two methodologies are quite different. Many people might have testing

done both ways at various times, and this runs the risk of having your Coumadin

dosage altered inappropriately if based on a home test. I am a trained

laboratory professional on Coumadin, but I would prefer to have my testing done

in

a laboratory rather than do it myself because of the inherent difficulties in

home testing. Sometimes my range does drop for no apparent reason, but by

working with my dr in altering my dosage and having my test run in the same lab

every time we can usually keep things going pretty well.

Brenta

[Guest guest]

> In a message dated 6/28/2003 1:51:14 PM Central Daylight Time,

> pammie416@h... writes:

>

Brenta: This is what I am talking about. I don't know exactly how

is is going to be working in my community, but it's starting with the

local hospital pharmacy, and run by the PharmD's who will be managing

the program. I'll post when I know further. Thanks for your

information.

Pam in polis

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