INR

[cath]

Hi - Just a question about something I can't work out. :wacko:

A while back I had an INR done as I had lots of petechiae. It came back as 1.0 (normal 2.0-3.0).
I don't take warfarin or asprin or any type of anticoagulant.

I can't work out why an INR was done and if it being low is of any significance. I have no reason to be on an antigoagulant (that I know of).

My question is, is INR inaccurate and irrelevant in non-anticoagulated people (and hence a mistake), or should it also be normal in the normal population?


Thanks for your ideas!
X C X

(ps I'm not panniking about this, only curious, so don't feel you need to put a lot of effort into finding an answer!)

[AnM]

Cath,

I'm not sure why the doc. would do an INR if your not on any anti-coag. therapy. ?

"Normal" 2.0-3.0 is for if u are on anti-coags. But, that's not always the numbers anyways, it can be individual.

But, anyways, so 1.0 is Normal for people not on anti-coags. So, it shouldn't be a worry. 1.0 would be Low IF U were on anti-coags.

I would ask your doc. why this was done; u should always be aware of tests, n your doc. should go over things n explain them.

Take care,
Alicia :coffee: :flowers:

[Clare.T]

Hi Cath

As far as I know the INR was established as a standard measure of anticoagulation therapy and about 1 is the norm.

Many other clotting tests are used to diagnose possible clotting problems and their cause

So people with blood clotting probs or blood thinning needs, try to maintain a range that much thinner, 2.5 - 3.5, all depending.

Here's previous threads

http://www.thelupussite.com/forum/index.ph...ormalised+ratio (http://www.thelupussite.com/forum/index.php?act=Search&CODE=show&searchid=54bb377646e9e71e96aee2d13f53f6df&search_in=posts&result_type=topics&highlite=international+normalised+ratio)

My three meds ( two antimalarials and Imuran ) can all slightly thin blood - as far as I know, they can affect the platelets and platelet tests measure that : an INR is never done.
Prednisone, aspirin and many other meds I daresay, can cause bruising.

I haven't looked it up just now, but I think that petechia and bruising can be caused by low platelets (ITT thrombocytopenia) as a medicalcondition and also by vascular problems, with blood seeping through vein walls ?

Lots of ?'s in fact

Thrombocytopenia and blood clotting problems like APS can co exist, odd as it seems ( to me) because the problems that cause the conditions are different.

Nesting time , eh ? :)

I hope you are settling down well - it's very good to hear from you again

Cheers

Clare

[cath]

Dear Clare and Ann,

Thanks for replying! :rolleyes:

You confirmed what I thought - the INR was probably just done by mistake.

I saw a GP in Holland for the first time today (getting insurance ets has taken ages), and he says I can just phone a rheymy and make an appointment myself.
I phoned the chairman of the NVLE (a lupus support group in the Netherlands), and he recomends his rheumy, so - I'll let you know how chapter two goes........

Yes we are settling down well, house and bunnies in order. I'm not working yet and am benifiting from unlimmited acces to my bed and not having to go outside till after 4pm! :flowers:


Hope you are doing well ?, :rolleyes:

X C X

[Lily]

Hi Cath :)

I had the same scenario when I sought a second opinion earlier on. He tested my INR ? why I dont know, it came back as 1 which I learned from here is perfectly normal on those who dont take anticoagulants.

Clare is right about what can cause these petichae or at least suspected causes in us. I havent had them for years but they were an early manifestation of my Lupus, esp evident after sun exposure. I had the odd platelet test done and it came back ok, but then my petichae werent over the top, enough to notice them though. I developed the livedo reticularis about the same time, so suspect it was some kind of vascular problem going on. Few meds at that time either, not even nsaids when I got the petichea so I chalked it up to Lupus. If your petichea are quite numerous then checking platelets is one avenue to pursue.

Hugs to you.

love
Lily

[bugsy]

:wave: Hiya Cath

Glad to hear that you and your bunnies are settled in now in your new home.

I have just purchased a coagucheck meter which enables me to test my inr level at home (having probs trying to get inr level stable).

So i have been practicing with the meter and tested martin (hubby) he as no blood probs and not taking any medications at all and his level was 0.8.

I did take the meter up to my parents to test them but :doh: i forgot to take some testing strips, so as and when i remember i will test them and let you know what their inr levels are.

Take care Cath and keep in touch - give those bunnies a hug from me :D

Love and hugs XX JO XX

[cath]

:) Hi Guys! B)

Thanks :flowers:

Henk and Rosalie say thank you too and give Bugsy a bit of chocolate from them :love:

Yes Lily, I think the petechiae are related to sun, also stress (I always get them after working a night shift). My platelts are often a bit low and I know a few docs have questioned an element of vasculitis (I also get livedo and migranes).

The rheumie in Rotterdam could fit me in really quickly - appointment is for 4th of July :blink: :( :)

Might be a good thing as I'm getting too many 4+ proteinuria readings these days :angry:

Lovely to hear from you :flowers:

Take care,

X C X

[Lily]

Hi Cath :)

I'm glad you got slotted in fairly quickly and yes I think it's a good thing with those protein readings (((((Cath)))))). You need to start some kind of treatment and soon. Mine has been steadily climbing despite an increase in Imuran, doc is now running bloods every month via GP and that's alarmed me a bit, but at least he's monitoring. It's been a slow progression unlike the CNS stuff that jumped up and hit me like a mack truck ;)

I guess we are works in progress, many of us - give us a break Lupus :wacko:

Take care and let us know how things turn out at the appt.

love
Lily

[cath]

Dear Lily

:flowers: :flowers: ((((((((((( :hugbetter: ))))))))))))))))) :flowers: :flowers:

Sorry to hear that - it is really the last thing you need. How is Hubby doing?
I'm glad the docs are on to it, but sorry this tupid disease is giving you a bad time,

:hide: :luck: :thumbs:

X C X