“INR Home Testing Machine For Margaret?” Asks Margaret

By Adam Pick on January 7, 2009

Patients selecting mechanical heart valve replacements are typically required to monitor their INR levels (international normalized ratio) to prevent risks of blood clotting, hemorrhage or stroke.

To ease this process, home INR testing machines are now becoming more affordable and easy-to-use. That said, here is a patient testimonial from Margaret R. about her experience with a home INR testing machine she just received:

Dear Adam,

I just wanted to let you and everyone else know that I received my INR home machine last week. I had a nurse from the company come to my home and train me on it. It’s just wonderful fast and easy, start-to-finish is less then a few minutes and only requires one drop of blood.

 

 

My doctor’s office has been great in getting me set up on the INR home test meter. My insurance company is paying for 80% of the rental cost and I pay 20% – which is only about $26.00 a month.

This amount covers the cost of the rental unit plus supplies of the reader card and needles. If anyone else would like to try and get a home INR machine, here is what I did. I went online and Google’d INR home test machine. The search came up with many options and I called them requesting the forms. They then called my doctor’s office with the information and 4 weeks later it was done.

I’m now enjoying a very long needed break to the veins in my arms and loving it.

Thanks for your book and blog!

Margaret


Written by Adam Pick
- Patient & Website Founder

Adam Pick, Heart Valve Patient Advocate

Adam Pick is a heart valve patient and author of The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. In 2006, Adam founded HeartValveSurgery.com to educate and empower patients. This award-winning website has helped over 10 million people fight heart valve disease. Adam has been featured by the American Heart Association and Medical News Today.

Adam Pick is a heart valve patient and author of The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. In 2006, Adam founded HeartValveSurgery.com to educate and empower patients. This award-winning website has helped over 10 million people fight heart valve disease. Adam has been featured by the American Heart Association and Medical News Today.


Carol Lang says on January 7th, 2009 at 3:42 pm

I also was recently approved for the INR Meter. After you get the result on the meter, you call a 1-800 number & punch in your result. Example 2.8 is 2 * 8 # They have your cardiologists “target range” in their computer. If you are “out of range” the prompt says “connecting to a healthcare professional” & then you are connected to the doctor’s office. If you are “in range” they FAX the result to your MD’s office & you maintain the same Coumadin
dose. What a great service!



Tammy Fillion says on January 7th, 2009 at 5:51 pm

Can you please tell me where you go about getting this? My grandmother recently had a valve replaced and this would be a great alternative to them picking her every other day.

Thanks so much.



Marlene Antelope says on May 13th, 2009 at 8:37 pm

I go to a free clinic for my INR, I want to know how they can get another INR machine donated.



Mark Larson says on February 24th, 2010 at 11:23 am

I would be very careful regarding the accuracy of these finger prick machines. They consistently measure my INR 0.5-0.7 higher than it actually is compared with a venous draw. I would compare 3 or 4 times before I totally committed to a home machine.



Gerry says on February 24th, 2010 at 4:17 pm

Im 16 months post aortic valve and ascending aorta surgery. As I was only 42 I was recommended a mechanical valve. I must admit it took a while to get used to taking warfarin daily and the regular blood tests which accompany it. After 4 months I asked my consultant about home testing kits and she thoroughly recommended getting one. I was recommended the CoaguChek XS from Roche Diagnostics. It is really small and simple to use. The staff at Roche were very helpful and supportive when I started. I calibrate my machine with a venous blood test every 6 months but so far the machine has been accurate to 0.1 difference between machine and ordinary blood test. The machine gives you peace of mind and freedom – you’re not forever making appointments at the surgery.You simply do the test at home , dial in your results and the nurse will ring you back leaving a message if your dosage changes. Warfarin no longer rules me. I’m in control of my medication. I would thoroughly recommend getting your own machine.



vickie crawford says on September 7th, 2010 at 2:05 pm

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN,
PLEASE TELL ME HOW MUCH A HOME PT/INR TEST MACHINE IS, AND WHERE I COULD PURCHASE ONE IN BEDFORD HTS. OHIO 44146. I WOULD ALSO NEED THE TEST STRIP AND ANY SUPPLIES.



Horst Lakits says on June 9th, 2011 at 6:11 am

I am living in Phuket Thailand on a sailboat and need an INR home test kit since I cant go to regular check ups.
Where can I buy one and also the test strips , and have it shipped to Phuket.How much would one cost me?
Thanks
Horst
http://www.biga-sailing.com



Ed Clark says on December 30th, 2011 at 2:59 pm

Need prices and delivery time on portime machines and insurance accepted plus prices on test strips.



joe shorie says on February 14th, 2012 at 7:17 am

i want to know the total cost of the machine, test strips and any other costs. I am on medicare



sandra Becker says on April 1st, 2012 at 7:24 pm

i am a lady of 70 years, i just had my 3rd heart valve replacement surgery, i really would like to see if i could qualify for a home inr tester, the one you show here is like the clinic i go to uses, i could save miles time and money with all the co pays i make having my protime checked now after the 3rd surgery, it seems like that is one of the things i am doing all the time, running to get my pro time checked. can you start to direct me in the right direction to start to see how i can qualify for a home tester. thank you



Lynne says on January 21st, 2013 at 3:12 pm

I found the website on the internet. I don’t have any insurance, am currently unemployed and took early retirement. Not a lot of money. I have a mechanical heart valve from a childhood disease. Rheumtic Fever. I am to young for Medicare and I am trying to get some sort of State assistance for insurance. Where can I get a free meter and the supplies to check my INR @ home.
Thank you



Lynne says on January 21st, 2013 at 3:14 pm

Need assistance for a free INR meter & supplies



Margaret Whitney says on January 27th, 2013 at 8:45 pm

I had a mitral valve replacement done a few years ago. Since then we have lost our vehicle and can’t get to the doctor to have aregular testing done . It would help me a lot if I could get a machine to do this myself.



Daniel says on March 8th, 2013 at 7:05 pm

Check with your local Lincare center. As long as your doctor is willing to sign the order, they can get you a monitor. Most all major insurances cover it at 80%.They’ll supply monitors, test strips, and all other necessary supplies.



Ray says on June 10th, 2013 at 1:02 pm

June 10, 2013

I had a mechanical heart valve replacement in January 2005 and has been on blood thinners ever since. My veins in my hands are crying for help as they are being punctured almost every week. I am a senior on government benefits. How can I get a machine to test my blood at home as I am developing cataract and having problems with my eyes.

Thanks for any help. Ray



Penny says on April 18th, 2014 at 4:25 pm

I would like to know how i can get a PT/INR test machine by donation, or are you covered by Kaiser Permanente, or can I get one for a very reasonable cost.
Please contact me, as my INR is irregular at best over a 6 month period, (and yes I follow my diet and exercise and Dr’s orders). So, let me know if you can help.
Thank You,
Penny
hyemph@gmail.com



Lam Ngai says on June 15th, 2014 at 7:52 am

Hi,
I am Chinese living in Macao and just having replacement of heart-valve 5 months ago.
Please help to inform some information about the dealer/ seller of INR home-testing machine.
Thanksand best regtards from Lam Ngai 2014-06-15



Derek Mower says on June 17th, 2014 at 10:09 pm

please help me find a home tester for INR in Thailand



Maryrose Sullivan Mirick says on October 10th, 2014 at 2:40 am

My machine, strips etc., are fully covered. After shoulder surgery left me unable to drive for nearly 2 months,lthe VNA.’s agreed. I am also on a heart transplant list and had a kidney transplant in 1985 by my very giving and loving sister. You must get the right support system to advocate for you. I test weekly …type it into a. My coaguchek computer link, and they inform my Coumadin clinic immediately if my #’s our out of range…the clinic nurse calls with any changes with my dosage until next scheduled blood test.



Mary Gibbons says on May 19th, 2015 at 10:09 am

how do we go about getting INR tests in Hungary



ABHISHEK KUMAR JAISWAL says on June 23rd, 2018 at 1:27 pm

COAGUCHEK INFORMATION


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