Hi Bina, Julian...everyone...!!! It's been way too long. Thanks VR.org for the birthday wishes last week! I have been thinking about home testing. This is the deal: Was bridging from some minor surgery recently (2-21). The team kept me on the Lovenox for 10 full days (started on the 18th of Feb) as my INR was testing low after restarting the Warfarin (2-21). I was gradually getting back to target, ...1.45, 1.69, (1.99 Feb 29th), then 5 days after that, 1.25. That was last Monday 5th of March. They thought the lab test was wrong. They had me go the next day, but said "go somewhere closer", so I did. (these are all hospital labs). My INR on the 6th at the closer lab was 3.6! I have been extremely confused and have re-examined everything to get a handle on all of this. I realized that I have been taking a multi-vitamin that has 100%DV of Kitamin K1 and K2. I was alittle inconsistant during the last few weeks, but my food diet has been very consistant all along. I have decided to start taking a supplement by Rainbow Light that uses safe guard, and vegan guard for people who are on certain meds, like Warfarin, etc., no added Vit K. I spent time reading alot of the posts on levels, diet, dosing, and testing...all very good info. HOWEVER...I feel unsure about the labs results and do not know where to go now. I have read articles on fill levels and such, and things that effect test results, since my Doc's office said labs can differ. Problem for me... I would rather be on the lowest dose to get the desired effect, but I need to know the lab I am at is reliable. They say, pick a lab...and just be consistant. If that lab is not reliable or accurate, what good does it do? Thinking of getting a draw this week at a completely diff lab., and eventually doing the home testing. I just want to be sure the tests are accurate, otherwise what good is testing to begin with? I have no problem being compliant, and testing.
Also, when I talk to the companies with the machines, they say they charge for the testing...and all, and I would have to buy the machine. (If I buy the machine on my own, can't I just do the testing myself, and why would I need to pay them to call in the results??) I just don't understand the set up here. I would do this without ins., or basically with such a large ded. that it would not reach it. Please advise. Thank you so much!!!!