HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

What Does High Warfarin Level Indicate?

default
Posted on Mon, 21 Apr 2014
Question: My husband has just been called by his phlebotemist and been told his warfarin level is 6.7…he has been told to stop warfarin for three days and retest…..anything else to do?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (1 hour later)
Brief Answer: normally just stop for 3 days Detailed Answer: Hi, thanks for using healthcare magic INR (international normalised ratio) is used to determine if the blood is too thick (increased risk of clotting) or too thin (increased risk of bleeding) due to the use of warfarin. Persons on warfarin have to get the INR levels checked intermittently to make sure it is ok. Based on the INR results, the warfarin dose is then maintained, increased or decreased.It can sometimes take a long time to determine what is the correct dose for each individual patient, varies from one person to the next. In your husband's case, the INR level was high which means that there is an increased risk of bleeding. Normally all that is done is to stop the medication for the 3 days as indicated and repeat the INR. You would also watch for any indicators of bleeding. (bleeding gums, nose bleed, blood in stool or urine). Normally no other changes are suggested. I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

Ask me a question
premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Ask a Doctor Now
Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
backtotop2
What Does High Warfarin Level Indicate?

Brief Answer: normally just stop for 3 days Detailed Answer: Hi, thanks for using healthcare magic INR (international normalised ratio) is used to determine if the blood is too thick (increased risk of clotting) or too thin (increased risk of bleeding) due to the use of warfarin. Persons on warfarin have to get the INR levels checked intermittently to make sure it is ok. Based on the INR results, the warfarin dose is then maintained, increased or decreased.It can sometimes take a long time to determine what is the correct dose for each individual patient, varies from one person to the next. In your husband's case, the INR level was high which means that there is an increased risk of bleeding. Normally all that is done is to stop the medication for the 3 days as indicated and repeat the INR. You would also watch for any indicators of bleeding. (bleeding gums, nose bleed, blood in stool or urine). Normally no other changes are suggested. I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions