What happens if my inr is too low

An INR test measures how long it takes for your blood to clot. It is primarily used to diagnose unusual bleeding, blood clots, and monitoring people being treated with warfarin an anti-clotting treatment. The INR test is a blood test and requires a small tube of blood from a vein — approximately 4 millilitres.

It is important that the tube is filled to the correct level, otherwise false results may occur. Get on top of your general health Find and instantly book affordable GPs within Australia. Find GPs in Australia. The result needs to be taken in context of recent INR measurements and dose changes. Updated November After being diagnosed with a blood clot thrombosis , your healthcare provider may prescribe warfarin for treatment.

What does INR stand for? How often is testing needed? What can I do to help keep my INR level where it should be? Looking forward Starting a new medication can be challenging and warfarin is no exception. Previous Post. All Posts. Next Post. This month, we welcome Dr. Auger spent…. Patients received a postal questionnaire with 28 multiple choice questions about warfarin. Questions with the least correct answers concerned food and drug interactions and when to call a doctor.

Patients do not have to avoid these foods but they should eat an equal amount every week because the vitamin K will decrease their INR and put them at increased risk of thrombosis or embolism.

Patients who like to eat a lot of vitamin K containing foods can take a higher warfarin dosage but they need to be consistent. The study found that increased age was associated with decreasing correct answers. Dr Oterhals said: "We can only speculate why. Younger people tend to seek out information about how to manage their disease while the older generation wants the doctor to tell them what to do. She continued: "Motivated patients should be offered an INR testing kit so that they can monitor their levels and adjust the warfarin dose themselves, just as patients with diabetes who use insulin do.

It enables patients to travel and try new foods without having to find a clinic to get tested. Dr Oterhals concluded: "Warfarin is a life saving drug but can be deadly if not used carefully. Health professionals have a responsibility to educate patients but unfortunately even cardiac nurses do not know enough. Materials provided by European Society of Cardiology. Note: Content may be edited for style and length. Do not put medication into checked baggage.

Patients who take warfarin should consult with their healthcare provider before taking any new medication, including over-the-counter nonprescription drugs, herbal medicines, vitamins or any other products. Many medications can alter the effectiveness of warfarin, resulting in an INR that is either too high or too low. Some of the most common over-the-counter pain relievers, such as: ibuprofen brand name Advil and naproxen brand name Aleve , enhance the anticoagulant effects of warfarin and increase the likelihood of harmful bleeding.

Those who require long-term warfarin should wear a medical alert bracelet, necklace, or similar alert tag at all times. If an accident occurs and the person is too ill to communicate, a medical alert tag will help responders provide appropriate care. The alert should include a list of major medical conditions and the reason warfarin is needed, as well as the name and phone number of an emergency contact.

Your healthcare provider is the best source of information for questions and concerns related to your medical problem. Because no 2 patients are exactly alike, and recommendations can vary from 1 person to another, it is important to seek guidance from a provider who is familiar with your individual condition.

Written by American Heart Association editorial staff and reviewed by science and medicine advisers. See our editorial policies and staff. About Arrhythmia. Why Arrhythmia Matters. Understand Your Risk for Arrhythmia. Symptoms, Diagnosis and Monitoring of Arrhythmia. Prevention and Treatment. Arrhythmia Tools and Resources. How Does Warfarin Work? Monitoring and Dosing Tips The goal of warfarin therapy is to decrease the clotting tendency of blood, not to prevent clotting completely.

Difference Between Brand-Name and Generic Medications Generic drugs are supposed to have the same dosage, therapeutic effects, route of administration, side effects, and strength as the original drug. Warfarin must be taken exactly as prescribed. Signs of unusual bleeding include: bleeding from the gums, blood in the urine, bloody or dark stool, a nosebleed, or vomiting blood. When to Call Your Healthcare Provider If you experience the following signs of bleeding, you should call or your healthcare provider immediately: Severe headache, confusion, weakness or numbness Coughing up large amounts of bright red blood Vomiting blood Bleeding that will not stop Bright red blood in stool Fall or injury to the head Headache that is severe or unusual Some simple changes to decrease the risk of bleeding while taking warfarin include the following: Use a soft-bristle toothbrush Floss with waxed floss rather than unwaxed floss Shave with an electric razor rather than a blade Take care when using sharp objects, such as knives and scissors Avoid activities that have a risk of falling or injury e.