guinea pig results

[netmiff]

well, as threatened, I stuck my guinea pig (also known as hubby) this morning, and his INR is 1.1; mine is 2.9. Yay, Coaguchek XS !

I never thought to check the accuracy of the machine on an non-anti-coagulated "patient" but it is a great way of double-checking the accuracy - now to see what my ACT doctor thinks tomorrow!

 

[Ross]

Doctors, unless they're familiar with home testing and machines, will give you nothing but grief over using one. Convince yourself that your machine is right and don't let anyone tell you it's not.

 

[Karlynn]

It's not the most scientific way to check accuracy and a few here have argued that lab is the better way (which I disagree with for several reasons). But it has always set my mind at ease. My doctor uses the same machine I do, so she must think it's reliable as well.

 

[Lionheart]

Dr Netmiff,
Good for you! When do you plan to publish the results of your guinea pig ACT study? Maybe the home test companies will include a guinea pig with each tester.

Seriously, it would seem like the companies making the home test units would provide a standard non-blood sample to confirm that what you are reading is accurate. Alternatively, I think checking it at the same time as a lab test is prudent. You should at least be close enough for the difference not to matter. IF not close then at least consistently off by a known amount.

John
P.S. Have you checked the INR of your goldfish?

 

[Ross]

Dr Netmiff,
Good for you! When do you plan to publish the results of your guinea pig ACT study? Maybe the home test companies will include a guinea pig with each tester.

Seriously, it would seem like the companies making the home test units would provide a standard non-blood sample to confirm that what you are reading is accurate. Alternatively, I think checking it at the same time as a lab test is prudent. You should at least be close enough for the difference not to matter. IF not close then at least consistently off by a known amount.

John
P.S. Have you checked the INR of your goldfish?

Alas dear John, run two lab tests back to back and lets see the results of them. They aren't going to be any more accurate then those off the meters.

 

[Lionheart]

Ross,
No doubt I am naive about testing. I don't do it. And I'm not for or against either lab or home testing, but how far off can two tests be from the same machine? There has to be some level of accuracy and consistency. Especially for something so critical.
John

 

[Bina]

It's not back to back testing on home machines that will have a noteable variance....the blood draws at labs are more prone to variance from the way they are handled, the amount of time they are sitting around, etc.

These Coagucheks have been in use in Europe for a long time where accuracy and quality control is the norm.

 

[Ross]

Ross,
No doubt I am naive about testing. I don't do it. And I'm not for or against either lab or home testing, but how far off can two tests be from the same machine? There has to be some level of accuracy and consistency. Especially for something so critical.
John

John even with lab tests, two back to back are not going to yield the same results. Try gettting a a doctor to run two tests to prove it. He likely won't do it. It's just the nature of INR, reagents, labs and machines. The ISI index was supposed to level the field, but if you ask me, it's done no such thing.

They pride themselves on their gold standard lab test, but don't like it when you prove the point to them.

 

[Blanche]

lionheart:
You might want to take a look at this, especially the Part 3. After you have done that, perhaps your view will change just a bit.
http://discoveryhealthcme.discovery....agulation.html
With the kindest regards,
Blanche

 

[netmiff]

Lionheart : guinea pig was hubby, results were posted in my first post - only time he hs tested "normal" on anything

Everyone else : I kind of did it for fun - you should have seen him jump when I stabbed him, it was worth it ! I believe my monitor, I just had troubles with ACT people in general before my follow-up appointment in January - whole other thread on that !

 

[zipper2]

Netmiff you are so (humorful) lol no such word but fits you
trust your machine,using mine since january and would never go back to the lab for inr`s. I said before the person who picks up the blood sits at tim hortins half a day then the vials get to lab end of the day and who knows when lab does them,plus i have no veins left id rather go with the machine and hey used mine twice in the last week cus im feeling crappy ,but inr was great both times and im content and dont put another thought to worrying about accuracey.Less you have a dr thats causing you havoc over the machine id look for different dr. or educate him for this i had to educate my dr and no problems with that part of it,its been great and i fully trust the machine before id trust a human at the lab.im finding more accuracey and less adjustment with the coagucheck.............I LUV IT


Zipper2

 

[Lionheart]

NetMiff,
OH! I thought your pet guinea pig's name was Hubby!
Thanks, I haven't laughed like that for a while.
JOhn

 

[zipper2]

too funny

too funny

Ive got tears streaming down also
Just too funny ,cant type even its humorful........lol didnt notice your prior post before i came on to post .......oh lol om goodness netmiff........ Zipper2

 

[lance]

Speaking of guinea pigs ..................

Speaking of guinea pigs ..................

reminds me of my daughter's guinea pig's diet. We were at the cash in the supermarket when I said I had to go back for food for the guinea pig. So I ran back to the shelves, grabbed a box of Pablum, a very popular cereal for babies, and went back to the cash register. The look on the cashier's face was priceless. My friend said the cashier thought I had a baby named guinea pig.

All those years ago and I still remember it. Hee Hee Priceless

Guinea pigs and goldfish. Where will this all end?

Netmiff
Glad to learn you're being very kind to your veins. They deserve a break.