At the clinic, we will perform a simple finger stick to obtain a small drop of blood to be tested. This test measures your prothrombin time (PT) which is converted to an international normalized ratio (INR). This result helps us to see how fast your blood is clotting and therefore recommend the correct dose of anticoagulation medication, such as warfarin or coumadin.
Several factors can affect your PT/INR, including sickness, diet, other medications/vitamins/supplements, physical activities, and failure to take warfarin as prescribed.
- You will bruise easier when using an anticoagulant. If you notice excessive bruising (a lot more than normal), please contact the clinic.
- If your PT/INR level becomes too high, you are at risk for bleeding.
- If your PT/INR level becomes too low, you are at risk for developing a blood clot.